Biographical Connection to religious life
For some unknown reason, Kolbe’s parents anticipated that their child would live a religious life, and both had a strong devotion to the Virgin Mary. Kolbe’s middle name was Maria, a common associated name with Mary. It was rather odd for a male to take a female middle name yet in a way, a life pursuing a Marian identity was meant for Kolbe; it was in fact his destiny. As a child, Kolbe claimed to have a vision of the Virgin Mary. In this vision, Mary clearly outlined that Kolbe would live a life of persecution, alike to all those who preached the word of the lord to those who were closed to it. She also stated that his life would eventually end in martyrdom.
After this, Kolbe immediately knew he would follow Mary’s comments of his life. He was inspired not only from Mary, but from all saints that had died as martyrs before him. Unlike many, Kolbe saw death as the end of his worldly life but the start of his eternal life with Christ. As a young boy in Poland, he saw the Germans invade in WWI and the devastating effect it has on the Polish people. Kolbe saw little to no purpose in war, rather focussing his disgust on the death and carnage it caused. Thus, he would attempt to live a religious life to also advocate against war and act as a promoter of peace within the church. Kolbe always intended to be a human representative of Christ, providing guidance to peoples all over Europe and later in his life, in parts of Asia as well. However, as mentioned within the biography, Kolbe pursued the possibility of social justice all throughout his life. He understood that in a modern world, rights such as freedom of speech, press and association were curtailed for particular social groups, whole nations (Nazi Germany) and individuals.
This discrimination prevented the idea of social justice from occurring. When one individual or group is prioritised ahead of another in society, equality can never be achieved. Kolbe understood that his actions as a single man could never fully achieve world equality, yet his personal contribution displayed that in the distant future, it could be possible. In addition and to summarise this idea, Kolbe possessed particular qualities that led to religious and spiritual development. For example, even from a young age, Kolbe attempted to be selfless, caring and nurturing to others whilst always exercising stewardship towards creation. These qualities and values are associated with a religious lifestyle. Kolbe was imprisoned for attempting to speak on behalf of the Jewish and shelter them from harm. His initial and prolonged thoughts were regarding the ongoing world war crisis, rather than himself. This was to the extent that Kolbe sacrificed himself for a man with a family, a very religious and spiritual act to make. It displayed that his need to improve the lives of others outweighed any selfish tendency.
Volunteering in place of another convicted criminal to suffer death is a decision many would never consider making but Kolbe considered it as an act of martyrdom. This is because he was dying for his faith in Catholicism. Christ taught two major commandments which are moral principles of life. The most important regarding society is loving others as you would yourself. Humans find this difficult based on desires for self-accomplishment and materialism but Kolbe valued the life of another man above his own without hesitation. This act, which occurred throughout his life (biography), was extremely religious and thus was a major contributing factor to his canonization in later years.
.Finally, whilst Kolbe was being starved to death, he celebrated mass with the other prisoners and led the group in daily prayer. Kolbe gave thanks to God in a situation where death was a reality, rather than just a possibility. Most would blame God for what was occurring but Kolbe chose to thank the Lord for allowing him to improve and assist the lives of others. After analysis and consideration, it is clear that the events within Kolbe’s life, as both a child and adult, led to him pursuing a religious life.
For some unknown reason, Kolbe’s parents anticipated that their child would live a religious life, and both had a strong devotion to the Virgin Mary. Kolbe’s middle name was Maria, a common associated name with Mary. It was rather odd for a male to take a female middle name yet in a way, a life pursuing a Marian identity was meant for Kolbe; it was in fact his destiny. As a child, Kolbe claimed to have a vision of the Virgin Mary. In this vision, Mary clearly outlined that Kolbe would live a life of persecution, alike to all those who preached the word of the lord to those who were closed to it. She also stated that his life would eventually end in martyrdom.
After this, Kolbe immediately knew he would follow Mary’s comments of his life. He was inspired not only from Mary, but from all saints that had died as martyrs before him. Unlike many, Kolbe saw death as the end of his worldly life but the start of his eternal life with Christ. As a young boy in Poland, he saw the Germans invade in WWI and the devastating effect it has on the Polish people. Kolbe saw little to no purpose in war, rather focussing his disgust on the death and carnage it caused. Thus, he would attempt to live a religious life to also advocate against war and act as a promoter of peace within the church. Kolbe always intended to be a human representative of Christ, providing guidance to peoples all over Europe and later in his life, in parts of Asia as well. However, as mentioned within the biography, Kolbe pursued the possibility of social justice all throughout his life. He understood that in a modern world, rights such as freedom of speech, press and association were curtailed for particular social groups, whole nations (Nazi Germany) and individuals.
This discrimination prevented the idea of social justice from occurring. When one individual or group is prioritised ahead of another in society, equality can never be achieved. Kolbe understood that his actions as a single man could never fully achieve world equality, yet his personal contribution displayed that in the distant future, it could be possible. In addition and to summarise this idea, Kolbe possessed particular qualities that led to religious and spiritual development. For example, even from a young age, Kolbe attempted to be selfless, caring and nurturing to others whilst always exercising stewardship towards creation. These qualities and values are associated with a religious lifestyle. Kolbe was imprisoned for attempting to speak on behalf of the Jewish and shelter them from harm. His initial and prolonged thoughts were regarding the ongoing world war crisis, rather than himself. This was to the extent that Kolbe sacrificed himself for a man with a family, a very religious and spiritual act to make. It displayed that his need to improve the lives of others outweighed any selfish tendency.
Volunteering in place of another convicted criminal to suffer death is a decision many would never consider making but Kolbe considered it as an act of martyrdom. This is because he was dying for his faith in Catholicism. Christ taught two major commandments which are moral principles of life. The most important regarding society is loving others as you would yourself. Humans find this difficult based on desires for self-accomplishment and materialism but Kolbe valued the life of another man above his own without hesitation. This act, which occurred throughout his life (biography), was extremely religious and thus was a major contributing factor to his canonization in later years.
.Finally, whilst Kolbe was being starved to death, he celebrated mass with the other prisoners and led the group in daily prayer. Kolbe gave thanks to God in a situation where death was a reality, rather than just a possibility. Most would blame God for what was occurring but Kolbe chose to thank the Lord for allowing him to improve and assist the lives of others. After analysis and consideration, it is clear that the events within Kolbe’s life, as both a child and adult, led to him pursuing a religious life.