By Lois Rogers | Correspondent

Since January, relics of St. Maximilian Kolbe, the martyred Conventual Franciscan Friar, have been crisscrossing the Eastern United States and Canada in a pilgrimage commemorating the 75th anniversary of his death at Auschwitz Concentration Camp.

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The pilgrimage through the order’s Our Lady of the Angels province, drew countless faithful to more than 40 parishes and The Catholic University of America, Washington, over the seven months. The journey drew to a close with stops in St. Peter Parish, Point Pleasant Beach, the weekend of July 29 and St. Catharine of Siena Parish, Seaside Park, Aug. 7.

In both parishes, scores of pilgrims put aside the difficulties of traversing roadways clogged by summer tourists at the height of the season in order to reverence relics of a saint many had known and loved for decades.

Two reliquaries were the focus of their veneration throughout the visits: a cross containing bits of his habit and a sculpture which was one of four created in 1971 – 11 years prior to his canonization – which holds shavings from the beard he grew in the mission fields of Japan.

The latter, a “first class relic” was fashioned with many symbols of his life. The base is in the shape of Poland, his native land, covered with “thorns” signifying the occupation of the Third Reich. A “lily of purity and a tulip of martyrdom” burst forth from the thorns, according to the Province website, symbols love triumphing over hate.

Strands of the saint’s beard are housed in a glass case entwined by Franciscan knotted cord representing his vocation as a Conventual Franciscan its vows of chastity, poverty and obedience.

In his homily at the prayer service that preceded veneration, Conventual Franciscan Father Bart A. Karwacki, pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in neighboring Seaside Heights, shared memories of the saint he had gleaned from friars who knew him.

Father Karwacki spoke of how Pope St. John Paul II gave him the title of Martyr of Love as he canonized the friar who sacrificed his own life in order to save a husband and father who had been selected by the Nazi's to die a chance at life.

“He had such great faith and trust in God that he lay down his life for a complete stranger,” said Father Karwacki, who has visited Auschwitz. He said he was terribly moved by experiencing the small room where St. Maximilian Kolbe perished in a lingering death along with nine other men as punishment for the escape of one prisoner.

For Lilian and Lou Cilento of St. Justin the Martyr Parish, Toms River, the opportunity to draw close to the relics and venerate them reconnected the couple to a very meaningful earlier experience: the visit of Franciszek Gajowniczek, the husband and father, for whom St. Maximilian Kolbe sacrificed his life in Auschwitz.

The couple had been among the hundreds present years ago when Gajowniczek visited the saint’s namesake church in Berkeley Township. His cry of despair, “What will become of my family?” had moved Maximilian Koble to step forward and ask to be taken instead.

Canonized Oct. 10, 1982, St. Maximilian Kolbe was declared the “Patron Saint of our difficult century” and a Martyr of Charity by the Pope John Paul II.

The Cilentos spoke of how moved they were to be able to reverence the relics of this “Martyr of our time.” Seeing Gajowniczek was a “great day – an amazing experience,” Lou Cilento said.

“You think about it and you realize,” what St. Maximilian Kolbe risked, Lilian Cilento said. “(Gajowniczek) might not have made it out of Auschwitz. What an example of what it means to sacrifice.”

Among the pilgrims in Point Pleasant Beach was parishioner Jean Klements who reflected that St. Peter Parish had renamed the old school building Kolbe Hall when it was repurposed to house the parish offices and social hall.

“I felt drawn to come because of Kolbe Hall and because of his devotion to the Blessed Mother,” said Klements. She noted that so much of parish life takes place in the building named in his honor, it is impossible not to think of him as an integral part of the community. It was very moving. I stayed for a long time on Friday night when the relics were welcomed to the parish with evening prayer.”

“After the liturgy I just sat there praying and looking at his face” on a banner that accompanied the relics. “It was very calming.”

Long time parishioner Dorothy Macchia said she enjoyed hearing the presentation on the saint’s life story. “I had heard bits and pieces about him but know I know the ‘rest of the story.’ it was time well spend and veneration of the relic was very rewarding.”