Saint Maximilian Kolbe: Knight of the Immaculata

by Jeremiah J. Smith

The famous martyr of Auschwitz (1941) who took the place of a condemned man. Before WW II, he worked mightily to conquer the world for Christ through Mary, desiring to save all souls in the world till the End of Time. Recommended in Kolbe Academy Junior High Literature Publisher: TAN Books Author: Rev. J. J. Smith Format: 104 pages, paperback

Genres: Religion, Biography, Catholic, Nonfiction, History

120 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1951

Reviews

[Joe Furka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice to finally read a book that’s not 1000 pages. Super quick biography on my confirmation saint. His trust in Mary and his willingness to drop everything to be her voice around the world is ridiculous in the best way. Would recommend.

[booklady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative biography about one of my favorite saints. Due to the nature of the work, there wasn't much emphasis on his theological writings which was somewhat of a disappointment. Aside from this, good introduction to the "Knight of the Immaculata".

[Samantha Arendale · Rating 5 out of 5]

v = V

[Yee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short biography of St. Maximilian Kolbe, beginning from his childhood and later about his priesthood journey. His dedication to spreading the love of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, the establishment of The Militia of the Immaculata, and became a famous martyr who took the place of a condemned man at the concentration camp of Auschwitz.

Book Review: Saint Maximilian Kolbe: Knight of the Immaculata by Jeremiah J. Smith.

[Isabella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting Short biography. An easy read and a good starter book on the life of St. Maximilian Kolbe. Those who want a deep dive will want more. Even though I have read a lot about the cruelty of the Germans during WWII it still shocks me when I read it. It was only a few pages at the end and should be known by the world but still shocking to good human beings.

[Sharon Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you ever want to read about one of the greatest humans who ever lived.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this book about Saint Maximilian Kolbe on January 8th 2025, on what would have been his one hundred and thirty-first birthday. He was born Raymond Kolbe on January 8th 1894 I've read several books written by, or about, people who have been taken to the Auschwitz Death Camp in Poland. Some of these people were fortunate enough to be liberated by the Allies at the end of World War Two, but I found this account the hardest one to reach the end of. Not wishing to belittle those who survived all of Hitler's Concentration Camps. They obviously suffered really bad things , to themselves, their families and their friends. I've never understood how the Nazis of the era could just randomly try and liquidate certain parts of society, and not care about them.
Father Maximilian Kolbe led a conventional life, but he soon began to realise that he was destined for the Priesthood. After being ordained, Father Maximilian began his Knights of the Immaculata Society, but had few followers and a lot of opposition. However, this failed to deter him, and he seemed to be able to achieve his goals, even in the face of extreme poverty and the opposition of those who failed to see his strength of faith. Not even several nasty bouts of tuberculosis could diminish Father Maximilian's determination.
He wanted to bring the whole world to Christianity. He inspired many others to follow his example, to live what he preached.
In 1941, Father Maximilian was arrested twice, and was sent to Auschwitz. He was not the only Priest there. He went about his life in incarceration as he had lived in freedom, quietly. He helped people, looked after the sick, and did all the services that Franciscan Priests do. However, his health was always poor.
In July 1941, Father Maximilian and nine others were chosen to die in Block 13. They were to receive no food or water. One by one, they died, but by 14th August 1941, Father Maximilian was one of the few still living. The Infirmarian was called to help the survivors on their way. The cell was needed for more prisoners. Father Maximilian's remains were disposed of in the usual Auschwitz way.
After the war, many people spoke of Father Maximilian's demeanour in life and he was eventually canonised, by Pope St. John Paul II, in 1982.
I found the last few pages really traumatic to read. To think that such a lovely, honest person, who never did anyone any harm, could be treated like he was. The photos and drawings are quite poignant, too. He looked to be a lovely person.

[Mark Adkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good beginning book on St. Maximilian

This is a short pseudo-biography of St. Maximilian that is focused on his devotion to Mary as the underpinning of the story. This resembles some of the biographies of the early martyrs where the devotional and lofty language pushes the veracity of the true story to the margins. In this little book you do meet Maximilian and learn the high level facts of his life. Yet, even more you meet Maximilian the Saint. Most specifically, you meet Maximilian the Knight of the Immaculata.

I found the story interesting and the sacrifice that he made - both inspiring and heart breaking. Though this book is rather thin, it is enough to drive me to want to read a more thorough description of the Saint's life.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Small biography of a 20th century saint--1894-1941. As a young boy, the Virgin offered him a white crown or a red crown--purity or martyr hood when he asked what he would become. He responded that he wanted both.
Maximillian became a Franciscan, as did his 2 brothers, then his parents each joined a religious order. His dedication to Mary, brought about the Knights of the Immaculate, publishing and Polish magazine about her, eventually in many languages. He founded monasteries in Japan and India, also, returning to Poland for the invasion of Germany, then suffering persecutions for God's glory through the succor of the Immaculate in the Spirit of St. Francis.

[JP · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seemed to use his career, priesthood, for his own fame. Book is somewhat disjointed.

I liked his rules of life, or the thought of it anyway.

I love that the Buddhist monks welcomed him and he bought a hill to remove a single Buddha statue. Sums him up pretty well.

Auschwitz is a horrible ending for anyone. Polish suffering figured so prominently in WW2.

Favorite part was when he signed up for beatings from his parents, for the praise of it apparently. He had an eye for standing out and clearly aimed for becoming a saint. Mission accomplished.

[Paul McClellan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very quick read. Biography of one of the most impactful 20th century saints - whose wholehearted dedication to his cause, the veneration of Mary as the Imaculata, consumed his entire life from a very young age. The inspiring self-sacrificial ending will left no doubt that this saint will be one known through the centuries.

[Charles Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great and simple introduction to St. Maximilian Kolbe, the Polish saint who gave up his life for another prisioner at Auschwitz. I bet if you read it you'll want to know more about him. He dedicated his life to spreading the love of Mary, the Holy Mother of God.

[Malcolm Meli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not a stickler of biographies, but I enjoyed reading the life of St. Maximilian. This book has shown the Saint's hardships throughout his life, until he finally dons the Red Crown that the Madonna had given him ever since he were a child.

[Anna Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I have ever read

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good brief introduction to the life Of St. Maximilian. It didn't go into his writings much but that wasn't really in the scope of the work.

[Brittany Brunner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a lot about this amazing Saint, but the writing was a little dry. Well worth the read, though.

[Gavin Gunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book about my favorite Saint. St. Maximilian changed my life

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maximilian Kolbe is truly an inspiration.
The writing was easy to comprehend. 👍

[Vivian Cerruti · Rating 5 out of 5]

v = V

[Caitlyn Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to learn about the life of Saint Maximilian Kolbe. Truly a tragic and gripping story about his life and very interesting.

[Jonathan Cavazos · Rating 5 out of 5]

My friend, Rita Kotzur, gave me this book. I admire Saint Maximilian Kolbe’s determination when faced with the Nazi’s brutality.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good, quick, easy read. It would be a good starting point for anyone interested in learning about this saint. The life and death of Maximillian Kolbe is very inspirational. Here is a man truly in love with Mary! His suffering in this life for holiness and love of God and men was so acute.

[Jacob Rouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very throrough and inspiring