By Patrick J. Passmore
Krakow, Poland, Jan 27, 2025 / 12:15 pm
Jan. 27 marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. Each year, the camp survivors are fewer in number, and as their testimony and witness remain, the importance of Auschwitz endures. In 2024, more than 1.8 million visitors passed through its gates.
What is it that brings people here? An obscene charnel of mass murder with all its evil, its inhumanity, its brutality: On the surface, it is a site devoid of hope. But among the ruins and the selection lines, beneath the Arbeit Macht Frei sign, in the preserved block houses, and amid the devastating exhibits of personal belongings lie pockets of resilience, humanity, and decency.
The testimonies of survivors and the accounts of the bravery of individuals bring a vestige of hope and lessons to inform generations to come.
One such account among many is a supreme example of self-sacrifice. A prisoner was missing, and SS Officer Karl Fritsch had decided that 10 men were to be placed in a punishment cell to starve to death. One of the men selected, Franciszek Gajowniczek, a family man, pleaded for mercy in desperation.
Another prisoner stepped out of line, offering to take his place. He was a priest, he said; he had no family. Unexpectedly, this insubordinate intervention by inmate 16670 drew unexpected respect from Fritsch, the officer in charge. His response was not a blow to the head or a drawn pistol but, according to accounts, a change in tone of voice and manner. He agreed to prisoner 16670’s illogical proposal. Yes, the priest would face starvation. His name was Father Maximilian Kolbe.
The consequences of Kolbe‘s actions are barely chronicled, the identity of his nine comrades is unknown, and eyewitness accounts are sparse. Reflecting on their slow physical deterioration raises the question of their experiences during those harrowing days of starvation. What thoughts filled their minds as they faced the grim reality of their fate? Most fascinating may be the consideration of the calm and consolation St. Maximilian Kolbe provided to his fellow prisoners in their final moments.
Welcome to a journey through history, where the story of St. Maximilian Kolbe’s sacrifice unfolds in the depths of Block 11 at the Auschwitz Birkenau concentration camp. As you step into Cell 18, you are faced with the stark reality of the punishment block, where Kolbe and his comrades were subjected to unimaginable suffering.
Visitors are often overwhelmed by the experience of descending into this historic space. The scratched crosses on the walls of Cell 22, where prisoners endured solitary confinement, serve as poignant reminders of the lives lost within these walls.
Despite the darkness that surrounded them, the prayers and hymns emanating from Kolbe’s cell provided solace to fellow inmates, echoing through the corridors of despair. The power of community, of shared faith and hope, transcended the confines of the camp, offering a glimmer of light in the darkest of times.
Stories of survival and resilience, like that of Sebastian Wiśniowski, a prisoner of Auschwitz and Neuengamme concentration camps, remind us of the enduring spirit of humanity. Sebastian’s last written words, a testament to his love for his homeland and the values he held dear, continue to inspire future generations.
As we reflect on the courage and sacrifice of those who walked these halls before us, may their stories guide us towards a future filled with hope and resilience, where the light of humanity shines brightly even in the darkest of times.
