For more information:
Office of the President of the Republic of Poland
Undersecretary of State
Agnieszka Jędrzak
Warsaw, August 15, 2026
Organizers and Participants
The unveiling ceremony of the monument
St. Maksymilian Kolbe in Marytown
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As we commemorate today St. Maksymilian Maria Kolbe, whose 85th
anniversary of martyrdom we celebrated yesterday, he remains a model of
steadfast attitude towards evil and a symbol of the tragic fate of the Polish
nation during World War II. When he volunteered do die of starvation, saving the
coprisoner Franciszek Gajowniczek, he gave a testimony of the heroic love of
fellow men, readiness for the highest sacrifice and inalienable dignity of every
human life.
From the first days of the German occupation, Catholic clergy was one of the
main targets of persecution. The Germans sought to break the Polish nation,
while priests, nuns and others representatives of the Church were an important
pillar of social and national life. Many of them ended up in German
concentration camps, primarily KL Dachau, KL Sachsenhausen and KL
Auschwitz, where they were subjected to slave labor, starvation and were
murdered.
Thanks to the efforts of St. John Paul II, who canonized St. Maksymilian Maria
Kolbe and beatified 108 martyrs of World War II, the memory of their sacrifice
was perpetuated and spread all over the world. A significant contribution to
documenting the fate of the clergy pursued by the German occupier, Polish
historians also contributed, who after the fall of communism could conduct
more extensive research and restore the memory of these events.
It is also impossible to ignore the role of the Polish community abroad, which
has been actively nurturing remembrance of past events for decades about
Polish heroes and victims of World War II and disseminates knowledge about
their fate outside the borders of the Homeland.
I would like to thank all those involved in today’s unveiling ceremony of the
monument of St. Maksymilian Maria Kolbe in the National Shrine of St.
Maksymilian Maria Kolbe in Marytown, Illinois, and in particular Father Lawrence
Zurek, Chairman Adam Bala and Bogdan Bosak, and also the artist, Mr. Vasyl
Dutka, who made the sculpture.
Such grassroots ventures are not only an expression of memory, but also an
important element of building historical awareness in the countries where our
compatriots live. Thanks to you effort more and more people can learn the
history of St. Maksymilian Maria Kolbe and the truth about German crimes
committed against the Polish nation during World War II. Without the
involvement of the Polish community, both opposing the falsification of history
and the transmission the truth about the fate of Poland outside the homeland
would be much more difficult.
On this special day, the anniversary of Poland’s victory in the Battle of Warsaw
and on the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, of which Father
Maksymilian who is remembered today had a special devotion, I extend my best
wishes to all of you. Once again, thank you for this beautiful initiative and
testimony of concern for the preservation of memory about our national heroes.
With kind regards,
Agnieszka Jędrzak
MONASTERY NIEPOKALANOW
Order of the Friars Minor Conventual
(OO. Franciscans)
Venerable Fathers,
Venerable Priests and Consecrated Persons,
Dear Guests!
In celebration of ceremonial unveiling of the statue of St. Maksymilian
Maria Kolbe entrusting himself to the Immaculate Mother of God, we
extend our warmest congratulations to your community and expressions of
sincere recognition.
Today’s ceremony is not only a commemoration of one of the greatest
witnesses of the faith of the 20th century, but also a reminder extraordinary
spiritual heritage, which St. Maksymilian left to the Church and the whole
world. His complete devotion to the Immaculate was a source of courage,
missionary zeal and boundless love for God and the other person.
Founded by St. Maksymilian – Militia of the Immaculata and the
monastery in Niepokalanów became a living center of evangelization in
Poland, prayer and formation. Hence the message of complete entrustment
to the Mother of God reached thousands of people, inspiring them to live
the Gospel and courageous testimonies of Christ.
The same missionary zeal led Father Maksymilian all the way to
Japan, where in 1930 he founded the Mugenzai no Sono monastery –
“Garden of the Immaculata” – and began publishing the Japanese edition of
“Knight of the Immaculata”. Despite many cultural and material difficulties,
he sowed there a seed of the Gospel, entrusting all his work to the care of
the Immaculata. His extraordinary faith and trust made this place survive
even the tragedy of dropping an atomic bomb on Nagasaki, becoming
eloquent sign of Divine Providence and the protection of the Blessed
Mother.
Statue depicting St. Maksymilian in a gesture of entrustment to The
Immaculata is an eloquent symbol of his life. Let him remind the next
generations, that the true greatness of man is born of humility, love and
total devotion to God through the hands of Mary.
We wish the whole Community that this unique place will continue to
be a space of prayer, reflection and spiritual renewal. Let the example of St.
Maksymilian Maria Kolbe inspire a brave life of faith, building unity and
bringing hope to all whom God puts on your way.
May The Immaculata, whom St. Maksymilian entrusted his whole life,
constantly surrounds you with care, asks for the necessary graces and
leads to holiness.
With kind respect and congratulations
Fr. Piotr Szczepański
Guardian of Niepokalanów
