Meet the man St. Maximilian Kolbe replaced in Auschwitz

The great saint died 75 years ago today—and I’m reminded of this great story from last year, one that more people need to know:

For one moment at Auschwitz, he became the turnstile through which the priest passed to the death that would earn him sainthood.

Franciszek Gajowniczek (pronounced guy-of-KNEE-check) stood near the altar after Communion on Saturday evening and spoke to the congregation through an interpreter, Maria McGinn, a parishioner born in Poland.

On July 29, 1941, at the Auschwitz concentration camp… a German officer ordered the men from a certain barracks to assemble, because a prisoner from that barracks had escaped.

“This was to serve as an example to everyone,” Gajowniczek said, “so they would be afraid to flee.”

Related: ‘Life for Life’ and the living memory of Maximlian Kolbe

Ten men would be chosen to die.

“The officer stood in front of me,” he told the congregation, “and pointed and I knew I was chosen to die.”

” ‘I am losing my wife,’ ” Gajowniczek said he told the officer, ” ‘and my children will now be orphaned.’ “

But then the prisoner-priest stepped out from the crowd of other prisoners. And spoke.

” ‘I want to take the place of this man. He has a wife and a family. I have no one. I am a Catholic priest.’ “

Read the full story.