Father Casimir Wyszynski

strictly by the rule and its constitutions. The spirit of mortification marked him: he did not take meat with his meals, and water was his only beverage. He notedwith sadness that not all the brethren were faithful to the prescribed regulations. He even urged Father Joachim, then superior of the monastery in Korabiew Forest, to be more zealous in watching over the observance of the statutes, the approval of which he, Father Joachim, had personally endeav- ored to obtain in Rome, and to personally practisewhat he taught to others. Casimir’s zeal stirred a dislike in his brethren who had ac- quired some unbecoming habits during the years of the disper- sion. Therefore, they tried to ridicule him. One day someone splashed red paint over the crucifix in Casimir’s cell, trying to cre- ate the appearance of a miracle having taken place. Casimir did not rise to this deception. He simply cleaned the crucifix and kept silent about this spiteful act. “He bore much oppression, hatred, and persecution. Amidst all of this he preserved his peace of mind as befits a venerator of Mary and a good Marian” (Fr. A. Fischer). At the time, there was a customof sending novices on various errands outside the monastery; this greatly interferedwith their formation. Being once dispatched to deliver some letters, the zealous novice Casimir used the opportunity to restore religious discipline in the Order. He stopped at his family home and with his brotherMichael’s assistance, he asked the Franciscans to con- duct an official visitation. At that time the Marians were under the jurisdiction of the Franciscans. Hoping to be of assistance, the Visitator, Father JacobWolski, appointed two Reformed Francis- cans, Father Mansueto Leporini and Father Felician Szadkowski to work with the Marians in Korabiew Forest, the first as the novice master and the second as the instructor of theology. By advocating strict religious observance such as this, Casimir exposed himself to the displeasure of certain brethren. It is no wonder then that negative voices could be heard among the opin- ions of him during his time in the novitiate. There were even at- tempts to prolong his novitiate and postpone his profession of religious vows. Even onMarch 19, 1725, when his family arrived 22 Z YGMUNT P ROCZEK , MIC, P H D