Many parts of St. Maximilian Kolbe’s life, such as his martyrdom in Auschwitz, are widely known. While these events are important to his story, other sides of Kolbe are often glossed over. One example is Kolbe’s mission of journalism. After becoming a priest, Kolbe founded newspapers to spread Marian devotion.   

Kolbe founded and edited the magazine Rycerz Niepokalanej, which translates to “Knight of the Immaculate,” in Poland. This publication still exists today. Unfortunately for American readers, the online magazine is written entirely in Polish. However, there is still something incredible about seeing Kolbe’s brainchild alive and well in 2026.  

This periodical spread beyond Poland. In 1930, the first issue of Seibo no Kishi (which means “Knight of the Mother of God”) was published in Japan. This publication has also continued to the modern day. In fact, in May 2021, the 1,000th issue was published.  

Publication of Seibo no Kishi was suspended briefly during World War II, but it recommenced in 1946. All of the newspaper’s editors since 1970 have been Japanese friars.  

The friars live in a monastery that Kolbe founded in 1931 just outside of Nagasaki. The monastery was originally named Mugenzai no Sono, which translates to “Garden of the Immaculata.” The name was later changed to Seibo no Kishi to match the title of Kolbe’s newspaper. When the atomic bomb dropped down on Nagasaki, the monastery survived, with a few broken windows as the only damage.  

  Back in Poland, Kolbe founded a monastery called Niepokalanów, which in English means “City of the Immaculate Mother of God.” The monastery became a religious publishing center. The monastery published anti-Nazi content before it was shut down by the Germans in 1941. That year, Nazis arrested Kolbe and eventually transferred him to Auschwitz, where he died a martyr.  

It is amazing to see how Kolbe’s monasteries and newspapers have lived on, even after his death. They continue to spread religious news and Marian devotion throughout Poland and Japan. Clearly, Our Blessed Mother is still working through Kolbe’s publications.  

St. Maximilian Kolbe, pray for us! 

Artwork by Alexa Foxx