George Matulaitis Journal

103 From Father Smolikowski I learned that Józefa Karska 1 was the foundress of the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. Father Kajsiewicz 2 had written her biography but at the request of Darowska had given it to her. Darowska did not want the biography to be published. I also found out that some of the Resurrectionist Fathers 3 were greatly influenced by Darowska and that this influence was detri- mental to the Resurrectionists in no small way. Father Smolikowski now has the biography of Karska written by Kaisevicius and also many of Marcelina Darowska’s letters and other documents, some of which are rather peculiar. Bidding me farewell, Monsignor Sapieha said that I would be welcome to visit him on Saturday at about seven. At five I was with Antonucci. Briefly, I related various present concerns of our Congregation, particularly that I am remaining in Fribourg. I asked him to obtain for our Congregation various faculties and privileges. He consented to do so. We drew up a whole list of them, and he promised to take care of the matter and to give me an answer Tuesday afternoon. He said that the Sacred Congregation of Studies would receive me on the following Monday at about eleven to give me some instructions. November 18 I brought Monsignor Caroli at the Sacred Congregation for Religious the list of prepared petitions which he had suggested that I present. First of all, Monsignor Caroli received me very graciously and encouraged me to continue along the way I had chosen and expressed his best wishes for the growth of our community. In the afternoon I went with Father Mosser to the magnificently beau- tiful Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls to pray and to look about. At seven o’clock in the evening I visited Monsignor Sapieha for about an hour. We talked about the life of the Church in Russia. 1 Józefa Maria Karska (1824-1860): foundress of the Congregation of the Immaculate Conception, with M. Darowska. 2 Hieronim Kajsiewicz (1812-1873) He was one of the three founders of the Resurrectionists. 3 Piotr Semenenko: a Polish priest, also one of the founders of the Resurrectionists. The third founder was Bogdan Ja<ski. The Congregation took its name from the feast of the Resurrection, when the founding members pronounced their vows.