Today marks the feast of one of the great martyrs of the last century, Maximilian Kolbe. And, fittingly, The Anchoress offers us — as part of her ongoing online retreat — some reflections on sacrifice. Giving more than you ever imagined. Surrendering everything.

This is what the saint said when he was arrested:

“Courage, my sons. Don’t you see that we are leaving on a mission? They pay our fare in the bargain. What a piece of good luck! The thing to do now is to pray well in order to win as many souls as possible. Let us, then, tell the Blessed Virgin that we are content, and that she can do with us anything she wishes.”

Visit The Anchoress for more on his life and death — and to reflect on what it means to really give to the max.