Father Wyszynski Pilgrimage

that they highly appreciated. They promised their will- ing assistance in securing the approval when the mem- orandum would be submitted for debate.” Thanks to Fr. Casimir’s personal zeal and his con- cern for the quality of the Marians’ spiritual life, the Order was noted by the public, which translated into the founding of new monasteries. George Matuszewicz, a Cześnik 2 of Mińsk, took steps towards bringing the Marians to his estate in Raśna. However, he met with his wife’s opposition who did not wish to deplete the family property. Bish- op Francis Kobielski also opposed it because he want- ed this foundation to go to Fr. Stefan Turczynowicz who was in the process of creating a new order. It was not until 1747 that the bishop let the Marians settle in Raśna and two years later he personally installed them in that new foundation. For many years the monastery in Raśna served as a House of Study for seminarians and it was one of the wealthier and most prospering monasteries until the suppression of 1864. Father Casimir also accepted an offer from Mrs. Frances Butler to take over the pastoral care of people living at a great distance from the church in Prienai. 32 P ILGRIMAGE TO THE E ND OF THE E ARTH 2 Cześnik (pronounced “ches’nik”– a cup-bearer) was a court office in Poland and Lithuania until the end of the 13 th century. The holder was responsible for the wine-cellar of the King and for serving him cups with wine at banquets. Since the 14 th centu- ry, it has been an honorary title in the Crown of Poland and Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and later in Polish-Lithuanian Common- wealth (info from Wikipedia).