Father Wyszynski Pilgrimage

The Marians began to work in Staropole, later renam- ed Marijampole, as early as 1750. They weren’t so- lemnly installed there until 1758, when the church and monastery were built. The Marians received other pas- toral locales in Lithuania, where they contributed to the strengthening of faith and the growth of Marian devotion. However, in 1864 the Tsarist authorities closed down all local Marian monasteries, except for the one in Marijampole, to which they transferred the majority of the Marians. Prohibiting the admission of new candidates into the Order, the authorities con- demned the community to a slow death. However, Di- vine Providence saved the cause which Fr. Casimir served with such dedication. In 1909, when out of the whole Order only the General Superior remained alive in Marijampole, he secretly admitted Fr. George Matu- lewicz into the community. Soon after the death of the General Superior, Fr. George took over the Order and opened a new stage in its history known as the Reno- vation. Both above-mentioned monasteries were founded in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Father Casimir also took steps towards founding monasteries in Berezdiv and Ostrykiv in Rus’ that were eventually opened at a later time. Father Casimir regarded his work for the Order as a public service because its goal was to rescue people from the clutches of evil. Along with his brethren he strove for its realization through fervent pastoral min- 33 Renewal and Growth of the Marian Order