Father Casimir Wyszynski

27 tator, but in consultationwith the General Council. He also noted that he accepted the responsibility of carefully upholding the statutes and the rule. He promised to make sure that the Chap- ter’s decisions would be implemented, not just remaining on paper. In December of 1737, after his election to the office of Supe- rior General, Father Casimir issued a letter to all his subordinates inwhich hewrote that God chose him in spite of his unworthiness and placed on him the duty of shepherd. He accepted this office to serve God and prepare the flock in his care for the coming of the Lord. Following the example of St. John the Baptist, he called upon the Marians to make straight pathways and prepare new roads for the Lord. He strongly encouraged all Marians to imitate the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of Father Stanislaus Papczyński, the Founder of the Marian Order. As no one else be- fore, Father Casimir endeavored to promote honor to Father Papczyński. Father Casimir realized that the religious vocationmade sense only ifmen in vows steadfastly followed the road of the evangelical counsels as prescribed by the statutes of their community. There- fore, his first andmost urgent concernwas to lay solid foundations for his brethren’s interior life and their striving for holiness. He urged the house superiors to set an example of good religious life, to ascertain the conscientious fulfillment of all religious practices, and towatch over the young brethren. The superiorswere to treat their subordinates in a fatherlymanner, without undue impatience or ambition. They were to supply their subordinates with neces- sary provisions, thus protecting them from any transgression against the vowof poverty. The General required that house supe- riors and treasurers submit reports on managing the communal property. Professorswere obliged to use time assigned for classes diligently and to watch over the recreation of their pupils. Father Casimir also stressed the importance of the proper preparation of the pupils for carrying out their future duties. The professorswere to set a good example to their pupils and admonish, even publicly, those who failed in their studies. The Servant of Mary Immaculate