Saint Maximilian Kolbe was greatly devoted to Mother Mary. At the age of 12, he had a vision. In that vision, St Maximilian asked the Mother of God what would become of him. She came to him holding two crowns, one white and the other red. She asked him if he was willing to accept either of these crowns. The white crown represented purity and the red one represented martyrdom. St Maximilian chose both the crowns.

St Maximilian later became a Franciscan Friar; he earned a doctorate in philosophy and theology at a young age. He provided shelter for many Jews and refugees. St Maximilian was arrested by the Germans and was a victim of severe violence and harassment.

In the prison camp, the commander picked ten men to be starved to death. One man cried out for mercy and he begged to be allowed to live for the sake of his wife and children. St Maximilian volunteered to take that man’s place and willing starved. During his last days, St Maximilian lead the other prisoners in prayer and was found kneeling or standing in his cell. After two weeks, all the men died of starvation, except St Maximilian. So, they gave him a lethal injection. He died on August 14, 1941.

St Maximilian was declared a martyr of charity. Many saints were heroic in their charity and suffered great persecution. We also have ordinary people doing great heroic acts, as we have seen in this pandemic. Doctors, nurses, and front-line workers, risking their lives to save others and providing service to the community. We all may not have the capabilities like these great men and women to do these heroic acts, but we can pray for them, we can pray to God to protect them and keep them safe from all harm.

We can all intercede for others. An intercessor is a person who intervenes in pray, on behalf of others. An intercessor is a mediator between God and the person in need. It is a very beautiful hidden ministry. You carry the burdens of other people to God and persist in prayer. All saints were intercessors. 1 Timothy 2:5 says, for there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. Romans 8:34 says that Jesus Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us.

Jesus, in His earthly, ministry constantly interceded for us and He continues to intercede for us. We are not as heroic as St Maximilian and those doctors and nurses, but we can surely carry other people’s burdens to God, in prayer. First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people (1 Timothy 2:1).

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