The complete collection of the Writings of St. Maximilian Kolbe now in English!
He lived on earth only 47 years, but he was a fervent Franciscan friar and priest, a tireless evangelizer and missionary. A contemporary Francis Xavier, he wanted to set all afire and lead all to the Merciful Heart of Christ through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, through total consecration to her.
The intense pace of his life didn’t prevent him from leaving behind a remarkable body of writings imbued with a spirit of radical and passionate love for God and Our Lady, for the Church, the world and all people.
May St. Maximilian’s Writings, now available in English, speak to the heart of many and ignite in all of us a renewed vitality and enthusiasm in giving witness to the Gospel in his footsteps.
Endorsements
Saint Maximilian Kolbe died at Auschwitz Concentration Camp as a “Martyr of Charity” in 1941. The Polish-born Franciscan Friar had spent the previous twenty-three years as a priest, evangelizer, media mogul, social commentator, missionary, and religious reformer. His life’s work cut short at age 47, St. Kolbe nonetheless left behind an impressive body of writings. In the 1950s the English-speaking world first began reading bits and pieces of those writings translated from the original Polish, Italian, and Latin. Now, at long last, devotees and scholars alike can find the entire wide-ranging array of those writings collected together in a two-volume compendium, published by Nerbini International.
I heartily welcome this first English critical edition of The Writings of St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe. Its pages are suffused with Christian hope. Under the general editorship of Antonella Di Piazza, FKMI, the text has meticulous footnotes, comprehensive indices, and a brilliant introduction by the Fr. Giuseppe Simbula, OFM Conv. Because the frenetic pace of St. Kolbe’s active ministry afforded him no time to compose a theological Summa, this edition assembles together the wide scope of his extant writings into a unified synthesis. It represents a virtual magnum opus of Kolbean thought – at one and the same time pastoral, anthropological, philosophical, spiritual, ascetical and mystical.
The cataclysms of the 20th-century, with the upheavals of two World Wars, provide the backdrop for St. Kolbe’s writings. Immersed in the throes of sweeping movements for social change, he founded six publications to offer a Catholic optic amidst the growing forces of global secularism. Included in the two volumes are: his wartime article on “Truth,” which infuriated the Nazis; his insightful theological treatise on the Immaculate Conception, written hours before his final arrest; innumerable Marian articles; letters of counsel to religious and laity; sketches for galactic space travel; historical and social commentaries; evangelization strategies; Catholic apologetics; and moral admonitions. His tone is optimistic. His deep personal relationship with the Immaculate Virgin Mary colors and enflames nearly every page. His leitmotif is love for God, the Church, the world and all its peoples. His goal is the conversion and sanctification of that world.
In the person of St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe, the first half of the 20th-century found a fresh voice fearlessly defending timeless values in the contemporary context. These two volumes give vigorous new life to this prophetic voice of truth.
Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv.
Recipient of the 2015
St. Maximilian Kolbe Award
*****
There are many titles that could be used to describe the sainted author of these works: priest, friar, professor of philosophy and theology, publisher, polyglot, founder, missionary, mystic, suffering soul, and martyr of charity. Readers of this collection will be able to discover even more titles. It’s all here: personal meditations, outlines from talks, scientific speculations, plans for missionary expansion, concerns of a spiritual father, the pains of a publisher, profound reflections on the union of the Holy Spirit and Our Lady, and more. Blessed are we to have them!
Fr. Pio Maria Hoffmann, CFR
A friar at St. Crispin Friary, Bronx, NY
*****
At long last the complete works of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe in English: accurate, readable and with explanatory introduction and footnotes. Both scholars and general readers will find this edition an inspiring practical aid for learning what this Franciscan saint has contributed to the study of Mariology and living the consecration to Mary’s Immaculate Heart. May the translators’ work contribute to a renewal of Kolbean studies in the English speaking world.
Fr. Peter Damian Mary Fehlner,
Recipient of the 2015 Cardinal John J. Wright Mariological Award
*****
What is the highest wisdom? It certainly has to do with knowing how "to win the whole world for God," how to give Him "the greatest possible glory," and how to become "great saints." Well, St. Maximilian Kolbe's writings overflow with such wisdom. And now, thanks to the Militia of the Immaculata International, English readers can have full access to them. May this awesome gift of wisdom help us to conquer the whole world for God, give Him the greatest glory, and become great saints "as quickly as possible."
Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC
Author – 33 Days to Morning Glory
*****
St. Maximilian Kolbe has always been a great hero of mine, so much so that I named my first-born son after him! You can imagine then my great joy over this landmark publication of his Complete Writings; appearing for the first time ever in English! St. Maximilian is one saint in particular that God raised up as an answer to our difficult age. Thus, may the ardent love of Mary, the zeal for God's glory, and the solicitude for the salvation of souls which so permeate these writings serve to inflame our hearts with the same love and zeal as our beloved St. Maximilian.
Steve Dawson
National Director of St. Paul Street Evangelization
*****
Ave Maria! The complete works of the great Franciscan martyr of charity are finally available in English! St. Maximilian was a theological and Mariological genius and this opera omnia is sure to be one of the greatest tomes to ever grace a bookshelf. It provides the wisdom, the answers, and the weapons that are needed for our times: total allegiance to Christ and the Church, consecration to the Immaculata, the mediation of Mary, the bullet of the Miraculous Medal, and the spiritual sword of the rosary!
Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC
Author – Rosary Gems: Daily Wisdom on the Holy Rosary
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