*** *** ***

— Known as the Apostle of Consecration to Mary, St. Maximilian Kolbe (1894-1941) saved the life of fellow prisoner Sgt. Gajowniczek, by offering to take his place in a starvation bunker at Auschwitz. A witness noted, “Despite the inhumane and savage atrocities, Fr. Kolbe maintained deep faith and dignity… he prayed and tried to encourage the others.”
— In 1994, Gajowniczek visited St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church in Houston. He never forgot that day at Auschwitz, “… considering it his duty to tell people about the heroic act of love by Maximilian Kolbe.”