Father Casimir Wyszynski

way to heaven and on this earth have no lasting city [cf. Heb 13:14; Rev 21:10-22]. I would like to find you embellished with spiritual, heavenly and eternal desires, not entangled in earthly and temporal matters. May you show yourselves like this during this canonical visit!” 267 Further in that letter, he pointed to specific elements of reli- gious life that would become his interest during the canonical vis- itation: “My task during this visitation will be to assess whether each man fills the directives of his superiors; whether the confr- eres preserve fraternal love among themselves; whether they ob- serve the Rule, the Constitutions, Papal Decrees, and the resolutions of the Chapters; whether they undergo retreats, par- ticipate in choir prayers and practice meditation; whether they live in harmony in their monastery and behave in an exemplary way outside of it.” 268 Although in his instructions to the confreres the Servant of God drew attention to practical matters of religious life and dis- cipline, he also reminded them of the principle of love upheld by the Founder: “Our beloved in Christ, most reverend Fathers and Brothers, during the oncoming visitation I want particularly to ascertain whether the love of God and of neighbor ‘has been poured into your hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us’ [Rom5:5]. I shall insist upon, encourage and examine it. For we truly love God when we obey His commands and the rules of our beloved Marian Institute, while refraining from our ownwhims. We love our neighbor if we do not deny himanything that is due to him, and do not wish him anything bad. If love is absent, everything else is nothingness. With love we can achieve everything (1 Cor 13:1-13). The Servant of God had great concern for newvocations to the Marian community. Due to his fervent love for the Congregation and its Founder, he wanted to expand it outside of Poland, to other Christian countries of Europe. Certainly, his apostolic spirit drove the Marians, who later spread throughout the world. 267 Circular letter of June 8, 1738, in: Ibid, 171. 268 Ibid, 172. 177 Faithful Venerator of the Marian Founder