Father Wyszynski Pilgrimage

siderably decreased the number of the Polish popula- tion. Anthony, one of Francis’s brothers, was in the army fighting the invaders, and the Wyszyńskis, fear- ing persecution from the Swedes, sought refuge in the southern part of Poland. It was not until 1708 that the family was able to return and rebuild the ruined estate. However, their greater concern was always for the proper nurturing and education of their children. The youngest boys, John and Francis, were sent to the Piarists’ school in the nearby town of Góra Kalwaria. Francis soon became noted for his piety and right- eousness although at first he struggled with studying. His displeased father brought him back home and began treating him harshly. One day, without his par- ents’ knowledge, Francis set out on a pilgrimage to Rome. However, his older brother Michael caught up with the young pilgrim, who agreed to go back only out of concern for his worried mother and with the promise of his father’s forgiveness. Indeed, from that day on his father showed him more kindness and allowed him to renew his studies. In 1714, due to public unrest and epidemics, the school closed and Francis went home. Three years later he started his studies again, this time at the Piarists’ College in Warsaw, where he stayed at a hos- tel for students from gentry’s families. 12 P ILGRIMAGE TO THE E ND OF THE E ARTH