Father Casimir Wyszynski

The attitude of service in regard toGod’s plan of salvation finds its expression in a readiness to recognize the signs of the times and to undertake challenges, even if they seemdifficult or impos- sible to complete. For a Servant hears the same assertion thatMary once heard: “For nothing will be impossible for God” (Lk 1:37). A Servant is able to heed human hearts in which God’s love works from the beginning, so that this love can be manifest in their lives and assume a Christian countenance. To serve the life- giving Father means to persevere in steadfast hope that this gift of life would not go to waste but would come to full blossom. The road of service is always a paschal road on which salva- tion appears as the fruit of Christ’s death and resurrection. For this reason, while this road is not devoid of suffering and dark ex- periences, it is always marked by the joy of new life. That is how Father Casimir lived out his vocation of service inwhich the anx- ieties of life did not eclipse the radiance of God’s love, but urged him to a more fervent effort in fulfilling God’s plan. Serving the Fathermeans dedicating oneself to one’s brethren, even if the repayment may come only in the form of ingratitude, incomprehension, rejection, and persecution… And Father Casimir tasted all of these. Yet he did not deviate from his path, nor give up or become discouraged, for a Servant knows that his faithfulness to the will of God transforms him into a sign of con- tradiction. And this sign is what shows the way. Father Casimir was the sign that pointed the way of renewal and development of the Marian community in its service to the Church. A Servant does everything out of love, not from calculation or heartless assessing of “gains and losses.” A Servant not only pro- claims the Gospel as a beautiful way of life, but gives a witness of love for people and assistance in their achieving the fullness of life in love. Father Casimir went to people not to lecture, but to serve them. Because of this, he could write to his brethren: “I come to you not only filled with zeal, but also bound by this task: to retrievewith pastoral carewhat was lost; to guidewith fatherly love that which was stumbling; to embrace in love and without 10 Introduction