St. Maximilian Kolbe – Martyr of Charity

     Bring the heroic witness of St. Maximilian Kolbe into your prayer space with this stunning, high-definition watercolor portrait. Depicted in his gray-blue Conventual Franciscan habit, Kolbe holds the Miraculous Medal—symbol of his total consecration to Mary—and the two crowns from his childhood vision: white for purity, red for martyrdom.

     Behind him, the haunting silhouette of Auschwitz’s watchtower and barbed wire meets the warm glow of dawn, signifying the triumph of faith over hatred. A golden ornate halo surrounds his head, inscribed with Totus Tuus Mariae (“Totally Yours, Mary”), the motto that guided his life.

Perfect for personal devotion, parish displays, or as a meaningful gift, this piece reflects the courage, faith, and Marian devotion of one of the Church’s great modern martyrs.

     Born in 1894 in Poland, Raymond Kolbe experienced a vision of the Virgin Mary offering him two crowns—one white for purity, one red for martyrdom—which he accepted. As a Conventual Franciscan, he founded the Militia Immaculatæ to bring souls to Christ through Mary, built Niepokalanów, the largest monastery in the world, and established a missionary foundation in Nagasaki, Japan. Arrested by the Nazis in 1941, he volunteered to die in place of another prisoner in Auschwitz’s starvation bunker. He died on August 14, 1941, the vigil of the Assumption, and was canonized in 1982 as a Martyr of Charity.

Symbolism in the Art:

• Two Crowns: His acceptance of purity and martyrdom.

• Miraculous Medal: Total consecration to Mary, source of his strength.

• Barbed Wire & Guard Tower: Auschwitz, the place of his sacrifice.

• Golden Halo & Inscription: His Marian motto, Totus Tuus Mariae.

Perfect For:

• Personal prayer corners or home chapels

• Parish bulletin covers or feast day decorations

• Catholic classrooms and youth ministry displays

• Gifts for Franciscans, priests, or Marian devotees

Product Details:

• Format: Digital Download (PNG)

• Size: High-resolution portrait aspect ratio

• Style: Ultra-lifelike, award-winning watercolor with ornate golden Catholic border

• Usage: Print at home or through a professional printer

Feast Day: August 14
Patronage: Prisoners, journalists, families, pro-life movement