Liberation

By Jillian Cooke, MTh, MAPM
Fr. Kolbe Missionary 

"Soldiers of the 60th Army of the First Ukrainian Front opened the gates of Auschwitz Concentration Camp on January 27, 1945. The prisoners greeted them as authentic liberators. It was a paradox of history that soldiers formally representing Stalinist totalitarianism brought freedom to the prisoners of Nazi totalitarianism." (en.auschwitz.org) 

The road out of the concentration camp was long and arduous. Very, very few survivors managed to leave the camps without sperning weeks and months in a field hospital run by the Soviets or the Polish Red Cross. The re-introduction to food, something seemingly simple, was actually complex. Survivors were known to overeat themselves to death (an easy feat), or to hoard what little they received - not willing to believe they would eat again. Those who managed to eat (and only eat) three bites of "mashed potatoe soup" a day and gradually work up to more fared the best. 

The mental anguish was tremendous. Most children spent their lives in orphanages and homes. Many survivors made their way to Israel, the United States, and South America. With no home, no family, and a terrifying history, these sought new paths. The world was horrified to learn and come face to face with the atrocities they endured, and awed by their resilience and faith. 

 Perhaps nothing expresses the soul of a survivor better than Marian Kolodziej's "The Labrynth" - stunningly documented in a film of the same name. In Marian's own words " This is not an exhibit, nor art, nor images, but words contained in designs." These "words" express an inner intensity, a careful soul searching, dying to self, and ultimately resurrection. While one can still never imagine life in Auscwhitz, the Labrynth takes us into the human soul, and thus becomes frighteningly personal.* 

And, certainly no story of heroism and virtue is better known than that of Franciszek Gajowniczek's personal liberation from death when St. Maximilian Kolbe offered to die in his place. Mr. Gajowniczek survived until 1995, "repaying the debt to St. Maximilian" by spreading his story and sharing his gratitude.  So complete was his work that he became known as the man who St. Maximilian saved, even in death sharing the story.

Today, the cell of St. Maximilian, with its candle often surrounded by flowers, stands as a constant reminder that no barbed-wire, no prison walls, not even evil - can capture and imprison the human soul that unites itself to God. The "Cell of Love is Always Open," and continues to give life and spread its love as St. Maximilian wished "to every corner of the earth."

Join us, then, at the Cell of Love and offer your petitions, dreams, and hopes! 

*You can order a DVD through Immacualta Press 
FKMissioanries@gmail.com; 626-917-0040

Standing outside Barrack 11. We can't imagine... but we can pray.