by Michael Lamorte (Editor) St. Maximilian Kolbe (1894 - 1941) was aPolishFranciscanfriarwho volunteered to die in place of a stranger in the Germandeath campofAuschwitz. After having a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary when he was 12, he spent the rest of his life promoting devotion to her. He organized the Militia Immaculata to increase devotions to the Immaculate, and founded monasteries in Japan and India, but eventually got swept up in World War II in his home country of Poland. He is a venerated martyr of charity, and patron saint of drug addicts, prisoners and political prisoners, families, the pro-life movement, amateur radio operators, and journalists.