Father Casimir Wyszynski

37 death in 1754, relations with the Matuszewicz family stabilized. For many years the monastery in Raśna served as a House of Study for seminarians and it was one of the most prospering monasteries until its suppression by tsarist authorities in 1864. The second foundation acquired by Father Wyszyński was also located in the GrandDuchy of Lithuania, in the town of Staro- pole, later renamed Marijampole after the Marians. Due to his friendship with Theodore Czartoryski, the Bishop of Poznan, Fa- ther Casimir became acquainted with the bishop’s brother Michael, later the Chancellor of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. As PrinceMichael got to knowFatherWyszyński better, he also grew appreciative of his spiritual and intellectual abilities and formed a positive opinion of the Marians as well. He asked them to send an appropriate candidate for the office of his court chaplain and theologian. Father Benedict Hönig, of Bohemian descent, was se- lected. Not onlywas he an outstanding theologian, but also aman of great intellectual aptitude who spoke several European lan- guages and was endowed with an affable nature. The Marians would serve as court chaplains for the Czartoryski family from 1749 until 1853. After Prince Adam Czartoryski emigrated, Fa- ther John Dziewulski, the last chaplain, faithfully kept him com- pany on his many trips to various European capitals. PrinceMichael Czartoryski was a frequent guest of Count But- ler and their hunting companion of Prienai, Lithuania. Father Hönig, who stayed at the Prince’s side, made acquaintance with Countess Frances (born Szczuk) Butler who conceived the idea of building a church on her estate and establishing a religious community there. These religious would be in charge of provid- ing pastoral care for the local residents since the Butlers’ estate was located at a considerable distance from Prienai. At Father Hönig’s suggestion, the Countess wrote to FatherWyszyński, Su- perior General of the Marians at that time, offering a foundation in Staropole. Father Casimir wished to study personally the pos- sibility of establishing aMarian house there. He had alreadymade plans to travel to Lithuania because Rev. Stephen Turczynowicz, who was organizing a religious association, known by the name of “Mariæ vitæ,” was making an illegal use of the Marian rule and The Servant of Mary Immaculate