The year 2021 marks the 80th anniversary of the death of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe. The Patron Saint of Our Difficult Century was killed on August 14, 1941. To commemorate this anniversary, the musical group “Miriam i przyjaciele”, performed a new song entitled, “A Life for a Life.” The Musical Director was Friar Andrzej SĄSIADEK. The group is being guided by our friars in Niepokalanów, Poland.
This song was included in the album “Pokój” (“Peace”), which debuted on September 5, 2021, during the concert “Oratory of Peace,” held in Niepokalanów.
“A Life for a Life” was written by Friar Piotr SZCZEPAŃSKI. The song refers to the events that took place on July 29, 1941, in a roll-call assembly area in the Auschwitz concentration camp. It commemorates the extraordinary decision that St. Maximilian made. He gave up everything and offered his own life so that another man, unknown to him, could live. He fearlessly risked immediate execution for the mere act of stepping out of the prisoner lineup.
St. Maximilian wanted to be of help. His decision was motivated by his love for God and his fellow man. By this gesture, he showed the greatest possible charity, because “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13).
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