Father Casimir Wyszynski

ple came to trust in Father Casimir as well; they assisted him fi- nancially and helped him fulfill the goals for which he journeyed to Portugal. Although he did not speak Portuguese, he was able to cope. With the recommendation of his new friends, Father Casimir’s petition to the bishop of Miranda to establish a Marian religious house in Balsamão, was successful, even though the Bishop had previously refused others. After the death of the her- mits’ Superior, which occurred during Father Casimir’s first visit to the bishop in Miranda, the bishop appointed him—and not someone else—as the hermits’ new Superior. What is evenmore amazing is that the same bishop shortly afterwards wanted Fa- ther Casimir to be the examiner of his diocesan clergy. 334 Meanwhile, Father Casimir’s dreams reached even beyond Portugal: his thoughts were already going farther—to Brazil. 335 Brother John of Saint Mary Rodrigues testified in the informative process in Miranda that Father Casimir was ready to go to India and even farther in order to spread devotion to the Immaculate Virgin through work and contemplation. Father Casimir told Brother John that hewould not regret giving his life for her in that distant land. 336 But Father Casimir was able to enjoy that beauti- ful Balsamão hilltop dedicated to Mary Immaculate for only slightly over a year. In a letter to the Superior General in Po- land, 337 he described Balsamão as a virtual paradise, deeming his stay there something of a special grace of which he stated he had never even dreamed. 338 God allowed him to stay only long enough for newpeople to become acquaintedwith this aficionado of Im- maculateMary. Even during his lifetime people would ask him to pray for their intentions and gladly participated in Holy Masses, especially the sung oneswhich he celebratedwith such solemnity and piety as no one else. 339 Father Casimir heard confessions, gave counsel, and even assisted the poor financially whenever 334 A. Fischer, Życie, cnoty i śmierć święta …, 69-70. 335 K. Wyszyński, Diariusz czynności … , 415. 336 PositioWysz , 413. 337 Letter of June 13, 1755, in Ibid, 415. 338 A. Fischer, Życie, cnoty i śmierć święta …, 71. 339 Ibid, 72. PositioWysz , 452. 202 W ACŁAW M AKOŚ , MIC