Bogalusa City Council President Teddy Drummond invites the community to join him in welcoming Archbishop Gregory Aymond to Bogalusa on Tuesday, Aug. 14 to celebrate a Mass in honor of Maximilian Kolbe, patron saint of drug addicts.

The purpose is “to pray and reflect on drug abuse in our area,” he said.

Everyone with an addiction problem, those who have friends or family members who are battling the habit, and all who are simply moved to pray for the community in general are encouraged to attend.

Drummond says the event is not just for Catholics. Everyone is welcome.

Kolbe was martyred in Auschwitz concentration camp in 1941 at the age of 47 when he volunteered to take the place of a family man who had been chosen to be starved to death to deter escape attempts.

He is also the patron saint of drug addicts, political and other prisoners, families, journalists and the pro-life movement.

A vigil Mass in honor of Kolbe on the feast of his Assumption will take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Annunciation Catholic Church. A reception will follow in the Dobyns Center.