In 1912 Kolbe was went to a college in Rome were he studied philosophy, theology, physics and mathematics. In 1915 he earned his doctorates in philosophy at the Pontifical Gregorian University. During his time as a student, he witnessed passionate demonstrations by Popes St. Pius X and Benedict XV in Rome and was inspired to organize the Army of Mary called “Militia Immaculata”. 'To work as the forgivers of the sinners and the conversion of the enemies to catholics' Kolbe stated.
From 1930-1936 Kolbe undertook a series of missions in Japan, where he founded a monastery on the outskirts on Nagasaki. Kolbe build the monastery on a mountainside that, according to Shinto beliefs, was not the side best suited to be in harmony with nature. When the atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, Kolbe's monastery was saved because the other side of the mountain took the force of the blast.
From 1930-1936 Kolbe undertook a series of missions in Japan, where he founded a monastery on the outskirts on Nagasaki. Kolbe build the monastery on a mountainside that, according to Shinto beliefs, was not the side best suited to be in harmony with nature. When the atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, Kolbe's monastery was saved because the other side of the mountain took the force of the blast.