Saint Maximilian Kolbe, who was in love with Mary, lived with a profound devotion to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, and the Medal marked the beginnings of his Militia of the Immaculate (the Virgin’s army). The relationship between the Saint and this small devotional object took the form of a partnership rich in meaning. Let us discover it together!
A Heart Entirely Mary’s
We do not know precisely when Maximilian came to know about this devotion, but what is certain is that, once he encountered it, it could not fail to take its place in his heart, which already belonged entirely to Mary. The Saint lived his time to the fullest, and devotion to the Miraculous Medal was one that circulated along the paths of Christian spirituality. We may presume that this joyful encounter took place when he was a student in Rome at the Saint Bonaventure College.
The Origins of the Miraculous Medal
The Miraculous Medal was created in response to a specific wish of the Virgin Mary, who appeared to Saint Catherine Labouré on November 27, 1830, and showed her the Medal: «“O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you.” Then a voice was heard saying: “Have a medal struck according to this model. All who wear it around their neck will receive great graces, and these will be abundant for those who wear it with confidence.”» This is the Saint’s account.
From that moment began the beautiful story of this small object, which became an instrument of love, joy, and trust for millions of people around the world.
An Inseparable Bond
The bond between the Miraculous Medal and Saint Maximilian Maria Kolbe became so inseparable that it became a distinctive sign of belonging to his Militia of the Immaculate. Indeed, through the Miraculous Medal, every member of the Immaculate felt part of one great spiritual family led by the Holy Virgin. The first seven friars who joined Maximilian went through the streets of Rome distributing the Medal to everyone they met; this began a conversation centered on Mary, love for her, prayer, and her Son Jesus. The Medal became an instrument for simple and effective evangelization.
A faithful presence even in “hell”
Maximilian spent his life speaking about Mary, spreading devotion to her, and making the Miraculous Medal and the immense graces associated with it known. Having reached the end of his earthly journey as a prisoner in Auschwitz, did he have the consolation of carrying the Miraculous Medal with him? We do not know, but presumably - since the internees were stripped of everything - he did not have it with him. Yet drawings of the Miraculous Medal were found along the walls of the cells, in the hell of the concentration camp. Maximilian probably also drew the Medal to feel Mary close, to have an outward sign of his love for the Virgin, and to offer consolation to the prisoners who were with him.
The “bullet of love”
Saint Maximilian Kolbe lived in a difficult time. A time when war, violence, abuse, and injustice held sway. Yet, amid the tragedy, he knew how to let a ray of hope shine through and, by defining the Miraculous Medal as the “bullet of love,” he emphasized that there are not only shots that kill, but also shots that reach straight to the heart and flood it with love, spreading life and hope.
The spiritual legacy of Saint Maximilian Maria Kolbe continues to this day: a Militia of the Immaculata member, in fact, never leaves home without carrying the Miraculous Medal with him. And its distribution continues in the streets, hospitals, prisons, and the simplicity of everyday places. Despite the changes taking place, Saint Maximilian’s simple gesture of giving the Medal to those he met continues and remains precious and meaningful. A gesture that continues to say that belonging to Mary is the sure way to reach Jesus.
