One cannot read of blessing...
Illustration
One cannot read of blessing those who persecute you, without recalling the life of Maximilian Kolbe a Franciscan priest who died at Auschwitz. Known as the "Saint of Auschwitz," Kolbe routinely gave up his meager food ration to those around him, conducted Mass however he could, and he regularly prayed for those in charge of the concentration camp, despite their cruelty. The reward for such benevolent behavior? Death by lethal injection.
Kolbe is most remembered for how he died. One night there was an escape from Auschwitz. The response of the prison officials was that ten prisoners should die for every escapee. Role call was ordered and from the columns of people ten people were selected to die. One selected man, Franciszek Gajowniczek, gasped, "I will never be able to see my wife and children again." Just then there was a stir in the line as one prisoner made his way forward, the "Saint of Auschwitz." He asked to see the commandant, then made a request, "I want to die in place of this prisoner. I am old and of little use. He is in better condition." His request was granted, and he and nine other men were marched off to a bunker where they were left to starve. Several days later on August 14, 1941, when Kolbe had not yet died of starvation, he was given a lethal injection of phenol.
Kolbe is most remembered for how he died. One night there was an escape from Auschwitz. The response of the prison officials was that ten prisoners should die for every escapee. Role call was ordered and from the columns of people ten people were selected to die. One selected man, Franciszek Gajowniczek, gasped, "I will never be able to see my wife and children again." Just then there was a stir in the line as one prisoner made his way forward, the "Saint of Auschwitz." He asked to see the commandant, then made a request, "I want to die in place of this prisoner. I am old and of little use. He is in better condition." His request was granted, and he and nine other men were marched off to a bunker where they were left to starve. Several days later on August 14, 1941, when Kolbe had not yet died of starvation, he was given a lethal injection of phenol.
