Father Casimir Wyszynski

100 Z YGMUNT P ROCZEK , MIC, P H D The Vatican Archives preserves requests of the Portuguese Marians from the period between 1819 and 1820 that they be recognized as a separate branch of the Order with their own Su- perior General. Officially, however, they were left under the au- thority of the Superior General in Poland, even though the superiors in Balsamãowere still referred to as “Superior Generals in the Kingdom of Portugal.” Tragically, the suppression of religious orders in Portugal in 1843, hindered the growth of theMarian community in this coun- try and terminated the use of this title. The last “Superior Gen- eral,” Father Joseph of the Cross, left Balsamão in January of 1851, and died in his native village of Lagoa, not far from Balsamão, probably in 1856. It would not be until 1955 that the Marians returned to Bal- samão. They felt great joy in discovering that the memory of the “Holy Pole” was still alive, whichwas testified to by numerous pil- grimages to his tomb and the fact that the cell in which he had died remained intact alongwith hismemorabilia. They also lived to see the happy day when the Holy See proclaimed Father Casimir’s virtues to be heroic. Through the assistance of theMar- ians in the United States the monastery building was enlarged and the church repaired. Now the Marians throughout the world wait in hope for the beatification of themanwho planted theMar- ian Order in Portugal 255 years ago. Man of Faith, Hope and Love F ather Casimir Wyszyński, a Marian priest of medium height and swarthy complexion, enjoyed the respect and admiration of members of other religious Orders and of the gentry, aristocrats and princes of his day. Wojciech Magnuszewski documented this in his memoirs of 1747, speaking of the assistance he gave to his friend, Father Casimir, in obtaining the Diet’s approval for three Marian monasteries. The members of the Diet “perceived his great holiness, solemnity and humility, qualities that they greatly