Father Wyszynski Pilgrimage

42 P ILGRIMAGE TO THE E ND OF THE E ARTH Father Casimir engaged in this work with great fer- vor. His pastoral ministry and writings aimed at influ- encing the conscience of the gentry in such a way that they would treat their servants in the spirit of Christian love. Recalling the Marian devotion of his compatriots, Fr. Casimir wrote: “The one who attaches himself to Mary must imitate her virtues and stay on the road that she followed, in Christ’s footsteps (…) How can one be considered charitable or merciful who does not per- form acts of mercy, who does not take pity of his neighbor or help him when the opportunity arises, who does not pray for his neighbors and who does not come to the rescue of the souls suffering in Purgatory by par- ticipating in Masses, prayer and giving alms?” Witnesses testified that Fr. Casimir zealously sup- ported the needy and that he personally worked at the construction of the monastery alongside the laborers. For him it was an occasion to teach them catechism and church hymns. On the other hand, while in Rome, he intervened in the matter of the clergy sometimes abusing their authority on the occasion of Easter con- fessions. In the 18 th century a great number of peas- ants died because of wars and epidemics. Since hands for hire were scant, certain country pastors would set a day for confessions prior to which peasants had to work long hours on the presbytery farms. Hungry and tired, but talking and joking, people couldn’t properly prepare for receiving the holy sacraments. Many paid for this with their health, while others took to heavy drinking in taverns which scandalized non-believers.