In October, 1972, a crowd of 150,000 Europeans gathered between the barracks and crematories of the Auschwitz extermination camp to honor a man who gave his life to save a fellow prisoner. The martyr was Rev. Maximilian Kolbe, a Franciscan priest, who stepped forward to take the place of Sgt. Franciszek Gajowniczek. It happened in July, 1941. Gajowniczek had been selected at random by Nazi guards to die. When the victim pleaded for his life, so that he might see his wife and children, the priest stepped forward and offered to take the doomed man’s place. Rev. Kolbe told the guards that he was alone in the world and would be willing to die instead of the sergeant. A few weeks later Rev. Kolbe died from starvation and a dose of carbolic acid.
Gajowniczek survived the rigors of Auschwitz and was reunited with his loved ones at the end of the war. At the 1972 ceremonies he spoke with moving simplicity. He said he wanted to express his thanks for the gift of life he received, and wanted to honor Rev. Kolbe for his heroic sacrifice.
David S. McCarthy
Tan #5225
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NO GREATER LOVE
It was February [?] 1941, Auschwitz, Poland. Maxmilian Kolbe was a Franciscan priest put in the infamous death camp for helping Jews escape Nazi terrorism.
Months went by and in desperation an escape took place. The camp rule was enforced. Ten people would be rounded up randomly and herded into a cell where they would die of starvation and exposure as a lesson against future escape attempts.
Names were called. A Polish Jew, Frandishek Gasovnachek, was called. He cried, “Wait, I have a wife and children!” Kolbe stepped forward and said, “I will take his place.”
Kolbe was marched into the cell with nine others where he managed to live until August 14.
This story was chronicled on an NBC news special several years ago. Gasovnachek, by this time 82, was shown telling this story while tears streamed down his cheeks. A mobile camera followed him around his little white house to a marble monument carefully tended with flowers. The inscription read:
IN MEMORY OF MAXIMILIAN KOLBE.
HE DIED IN MY PLACE.
Every day Gasovnachek lived since 1941, he lived with the knowledge, “I live because someone died for me.” Every year on August 14 he travels to Auschwitz in memory of Kolbe.
“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13).
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Victor Knowles, Peace on Earth Ministries. Adapted from Crossroads Family Circle