Following in the Footsteps of Saint Maximilian Kolbe

In 2023 I was blessed to travel to Poland and serve at a Ukrainian Children's summer camp for refugee children fleeing from the war. I had a beautiful experience learning more of the Polish Saints, culture, and serving these children. At that time I was single and praying for my future husband. I asked JP2 for his intercession and prayed one day I could return to Poland with my future husband. Fast forward.... & Andrew and I have this opportunity to go on Pilgrimage! It would mean the world to us if you could help us give thanks to all the Saints that interceded for our intentions.

Referred to by St. John Paul II as the “Prophet of the Civilization of Love” and a “Martyr of Charity,” we will journey with St. Maximilian as he, with a heart full of love for Jesus and Mary, offered his life for another in Auschwitz. In a time and place where it seemed justifiable to hate one’s enemies, Kolbe always repeated to those he suffered with: “Hatred is not a creative force. Only love creates.”

We will visit the convent where St. Faustina once lived and pray before the miraculous image of the Divine Mercy, and also visit places significant to the great St. John Paul II.

-St. Faustina – Divine Mercy Shrine in Lagiewniki

-St John Paul II – Wadowice, Kalwaria Zebrzydowska

-Częstochowa, Queen of Poland

-St. Maximilian Kolbe – Birth place, baptismal font, site of two crowns, Niepokalanów, Auschwitz, Sw. Maksymiliana Kolbe Centrum

-Warszaw, Kraków, Wieliczka Salt Mines

-Daily Mass and community prayer for intentions.