K. V. Turley on St. Maximilian Kolbe

"I have visited Auschwitz only once.

"It is not a place to which I wish to return any time soon.

"Although that visit was many years ago, Auschwitz is a place one does not forget.

"Whether it is the large silent rooms with glass screens, behind which lie the stacked remains of the confiscated clothes and luggage, spectacles and identity cards or (worse still) the extracted teeth or hair from the inmates of that concentration camp; or, the still-lingering smell of gas around the chimneys of the camp incinerator; or the fact that what is said about birdsong not being heard at Auschwitz is true - whatever it is, Auschwitz is not an easy place to forget. Like a bad dream it lingers in one’s waking memory. Only this was a nightmare all too real for those unfortunate enough to be incarcerated within its razor-wire fences.

"One such inmate was the Polish priest, now martyr-saint, Maximilian Kolbe. He arrived in Auschwitz May 28, 1941. No longer a man with a name, he had become instead Prisoner No. 16670."

In a recent commentary, writer K. V. Turley reflected on the sacrifice of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, whose memory the Church celebrates today (14 August).

To access Mr. Turley's complete post, please visit: 

National Catholic Register: Blogs: K. V. Turley: An Astonishing Miracle of Divine Mercy at Auschwitz (14 AUG 19)