Maximillian Kolbe was born in Poland in 1894. His parents were very devout Christians. At first, young Maximillian wanted to be a soldier, but at sixteen he decided to become a priest and left Poland for Italy. When he returned, Father Kolbe set up a publishing house, which produced a Christian newspaper which was read all over Poland.

When World War II broke out and the Nazis invaded Poland, Father Kolbe's newspaper was closed down and he was sent to Auschwitz prison camp. As a priest, Father Kolbe was singled out for beatings. But despite this, other prisoners who served with him, remember Father Kolbe as a man who always spoke about God's love. They recall how he never seemed to think of himself. When food was brought in and everyone struggled to get a share, Father Kolbe stood aside, so that frequently there was none left for him. Once, he told another prisoner,

'Every man in this camp has an aim in life. For most of us it is to return home. For my part, I give my life for the good of all men.'

In the summer of 1941, three prisoners escaped. In revenge, the camp commander picked ten prisoners to be sent to the Bunker - an underground punishment cell where prisoners were starved to death. Father Kolbe was not picked, but he stepped forward and asked permission to swap places with one of the condemned men. His request was granted and the men were led off to the Bunker to die a slow death.

In the Bunker, Father Kolbe led the men in prayers and singing. Each day, when the guards visited the Bunker to remove the bodies of the men who had died, they were surprised to find Father Kolbe praying or singing cheerfully. After two weeks, Father Kolbe was the only survivor. Irritated by his heroism, the camp commander ordered that Father Kolbe be given a lethal injection.

Another prisoner later described the news of Father Kolbe's death as 'a shock filled with hope, bringing new life and strength... It was like a powerful shaft of light in the darkness of the camp.'

The prisoner whom Father Kolbe saved is still alive.