Father Casimir Wyszynski

It would appear that thematter remained in practice, because another note appeared in Father Casimir’s Diariusz on January 13, 1753: “I submitted a petition to the Holy Father about the bur- dens imposed on Christian people in the Kingdom of Poland on the occasion of Easter confessions.” 23 The entry of January 20 th reads thus: “I received back from the Holy Father my petition in regard to people of both genders placed under additional burdens by parish pastors in the King- dom of Poland on the occasion of Easter confessions. The Holy Father wrote on my petition ‘For the Cardinal Secretary of State.’” 24 On the following day Father Casimir showed this petition to the Defender of the Faith: “Hewas pleasedwith the fact that there was a note ‘For His Eminence, Cardinal Secretary of State, to de- mand information from the Nuncio to Poland.’” Next, Father Wyszyński provided detailed reasoning behind this petition: “I was motivated to submit this petition as follows: When I would be assisting parish pastors with confessions or delivering ser- mons to the country folks, or simply passing through [some parishes], I could not help but notice that parish pastors or their vicars in various dioceses had introduced the practice—as if it were a tradition related to Easter confessions—according to which peoplewere put towork prior to going to confession. Some of the men were given axes, previously borrowed from some- where with this intention, and they had either to cut wood or make caldrons or fence posts. Other men had to flail grain or do similar work. Women were employed breaking the material for the spinning of the distaff, or cleaning the gardens, or—if the ground was already defrosted—digging or other work. It was only after such “preparation” for confession that peoplewere ad- mitted in groups—some going to confessionwhile others contin- uedworking. Thosewho hadmade their confessionwould return towork before receiving Holy Communion. Therefore, Commun- dziedzictwa marianów …, 219. 23 Ibid, 362. 24 Ibid, 367. 58 Z YGMUNT P ROCZEK , MIC, P H D