Saint Maximilian Kolbe, the Franciscan priest who gave his life for a stranger in Auschwitz, is a shining witness of the words of Jesus: “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” This nine-day novena asks his intercession and the grace to love as he loved.
How to Pray This Novena
Pray the prayer below once a day for nine consecutive days, holding your intention in your heart.
The Daily Prayer
O Lord Jesus Christ, who said, “Greater love than this no one has, that a man lay down his life for his friends,” through the intercession of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, whose life illustrated such love, we beseech you to grant us our petition (mention your intention).
Through the Militia of the Immaculata movement, which he founded, he spread a fervent devotion to Our Lady throughout the world. He gave up his life for a total stranger and loved his persecutors, giving us an example of selfless love inspired by true devotion to Mary. Grant, O Lord Jesus, that we too may give ourselves without reserve to the love and service of our Heavenly Queen, in order to better love and serve our neighbour in imitation of your servant Maximilian. Amen.
When to Pray This Novena
The novena is often prayed in the nine days leading up to his feast on August 14.
About Saint Maximilian Kolbe
Saint Maximilian Kolbe (1894–1941) was a Polish Franciscan friar and founder of the Militia of the Immaculata, a movement of total consecration to Mary. Arrested by the Nazis, he was imprisoned at Auschwitz, where he volunteered to die in place of a fellow prisoner who had a wife and children. He was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1982 as a “martyr of charity.” His feast is August 14.
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Sources: Prayer follows the traditional Novena to Saint Maximilian Kolbe as published by the Militia of the Immaculata. Biographical detail from the same source and the Vatican canonization records.