Father Casimir Wyszynski

21 The Servant of Mary Immaculate Many years after, Father Casimir wrote to his brother Valerian, a priest in the Piarist Order, about somemystical experiences that influenced his decision to join the Marians: “Like a second Saul, I came to this Congregation which one of our own, namely our brother Joseph, had attacked. The Blessed Mother said to me: ‘Francis, why do you persecute me?’ Not daring to kick against the goad, I felt impelled to take the habit in Rome” (August 5, 1752). And just like St. Paul who after meeting the Risen Christ gave himself entirely to spreading the faith and strengthening the Church, Francis also decided to repair the wrongs caused by his brother and dedicated himself entirely to the service of God in the Order that promoted honor to Mary Immaculate. Faithful to the Founder and His Work I n December of 1723, having obtained the approval of the Marian statutes by the Holy See, Father Joachim Kozłowski and his companion, Brother. Nicholas of St. Martin, set out on their return journey to Poland. They took with them a new candidate for the Congregation, Casimir of St. Joseph Wyszyński. On this trip Casimir found the courage to point out to his su- perior the latter’s transgression of fraternal unity and charity by making Bra. Nicholas carry excessive burdens. Angered, Father Joachim ordered his travel companions to continue the trip on their own. They traveled on foot, hauling the luggage and praying together. As theywere passing Casimir’s family home, he learned that his mother lay dying. He had the chance to bid her farewell and attend her funeral. Then he continued to the Marian her- mitage in Korabiew Forest, currently the Marian Forest, and on March 19, 1724, the solemnity of St. Joseph, hewas admitted into the Marian novitiate. “After the demise of his worthy mother he followed the salvific voice and dedicated himself to imitating the life of Mary Immaculate” (A. Fischer). Consumed by the mission of mending the wrongs caused by his brother to the Marian Order, Casimir did his best to abide