Mary's Knight

Ave Maria

Presented here is the definitive biography of St. Maximilian Kolbe. Written by Claude R. Foster, Professor of History at West Chester University (now emeritus), Pennsylvania. It covers the entirety of Raymond Kolbe's life.
At 700 pages long, it measures almost 2" thick. Considering its size and laminated casewrap hardcover, it reminds me of a college textbook. It is filled with quotes from people who were intimately close with St. Maximilian, many of which the author interviewed directly. In a recent email from the author, he informed me of this:

"On July 15th, as I arrived for a two-week visit at Niepokalanow, the last Niepokalanow witness for the biography, Brother Jeremiasz, departed this world. Now all the Niepokalanow witnesses have joined the Church Triumphant. The only witness now living is Brother Roman in Japan. The biography could not be written today. All of my key witnesses for the ministry and martyrdom of Saint Maximilian are gone. The timing for Brother Hieronim and me to collaborate in providing this biography was providential."

  I can't convey how detailed this account of  his life is. No stone was left unturned in Mr. Foster's research. It also includes a wonderful set of black and white and full color photographs in the middle of the tome. (As a side note, the author has just informed me that this biography is now available in Polish and Italian.)

 It is available from the-  Marytown Bookstore
                                   1600 West Park Ave.
                                   Libertyville, IL 60048-2593
                                   Phone: 847-367-7800

           Here is a direct link where the book can be purchased online: LINK

Be good, St. Max is watching.

Why a blog?

Ave Maria

I should probably explain why this blog was created. The first reason, I think, is out of necessity.

The administrative body of the M.I. is the Conventual Franciscans in Libertyville, IL at Marytown, the National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe. (BTW: I am priviliged to live only about a couple of hours from the Shrine, which I have visited) As far as I know/ remember, they do not embrace the traditional sacraments (1962 books). This does not really affect one's membership in the M.I. since your daily practice and devotion is done in solitude, but traditionalists have a habit of looking at things a bit differently. Traditionalists also like to "group up" and collaborate since in many cases we are forced to group and collaborate just to have the traditional mass and sacraments made available to us.

Another reason for the creation of this blog is a personal one. My devotion to St. Maximilian and practice of the requirements of membership in the M.I. have fallen lax. Maybe this blog will renew my vigor.
It kind of already has.

Pray for me.



St. Maximilian, Pray for us!