Day 8: Self-sacrifice in love

The eighth day attends to the act for which Saint Maximilian is most known: his self-sacrifice in love at Auschwitz on July 30, 1941.

Auschwitz

On July 30, 1941, after a prisoner escaped from Block 14 of Auschwitz, the camp commandant ordered ten prisoners from the same block selected for starvation as collective punishment. When one of the selected (Franciszek Gajowniczek, a husband and father) cried out at his fate, Saint Maximilian stepped forward and offered to take his place. The exchange was accepted. Saint Maximilian was killed by lethal injection two weeks later on August 14, 1941, after two weeks of starvation. Gajowniczek survived the war and lived until 1995.

Prayer

Saint Maximilian, you who laid down your life for another, intercede for me. Form me in the love that is willing to lay down its life for the brethren. Where I am called to costly self-giving today, give me your courage. Amen.

Conclude with one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be.