Father Wyszynski Pilgrimage

Fr. Alexis petitioned the Bishop for permission to exhume Fr. Casimir’s body and place it in a more wor- thy place: “After all, the opinion of his holiness is growing; at his tomb people receive miracles that God allows His saints to perform.” The Bishop gave con- sent for the exhumation which took place on June 26– July 18, 1759. Father Casimir’s bones and bodily re- mains were transferred to a double casket and placed under the church floor. The suppression of religious orders in Portugal in 1834 hindered the growth of the Marian community in this country. It was only in 1955 that the Marians returned to Balsam ã o. They felt great joy in discover- ing that the memory of the “Holy Pole” was still alive, which was testified to by numerous pilgrimages to his tomb and the fact that his cell in which he had died, remained intact along with his memorabilia. They also lived to see the happy day when the Holy See pro- claimed Fr. Casimir’s heroic virtues. The Marians en- larged the monastery building and repaired the church. Now they wait in hope for the beatification of the man who planted the Marian Order in Portugal 255 years ago. 53 Renewal and Growth of the Marian Order