Father Casimir Wyszynski

of Sirach in these words: ‘Whoever obeys me, will not be put to shame, and thosewhoworkwithmy helpwill not sin’ (Sir 24:22). Hence it is clear that we venerate Mary most perfectly when we imitate her virtues as described in the Gospels.” Father Wyszyński emphasized later: “We want then to point to the evangelical virtues of the Virgin Mary only so that they might be imitated. Although our Most Beloved Lady shone with countless virtues, apart from these they would be not only diffi- cult to imitate but also to understand, for she surpassed in virtue not only the holiest of people, but even the holiest of the angels.” By using various comparisons, Father Casimir wanted to show the precisemeaning of the VirginMary’s virtues for Christian liv- ing. He remarked that they are abilities given by God which can be redoubled by imitating them. They are lamps by which the whole world can be illuminated. They are capable of purifying not only the ten lepers, but also all sinners. For we are all in need of God’s mercy: “By imitating the Mother of God we will obtain the forgiveness of our sins and God’smercy and deliverance from the hands of the enemies of our soul and of our earthly life, who lie in wait especially in recent times for the undoing of our dis- tressed Homeland.” Mary is the “Morning Star” which leads to Christ the “Sun of Justice.” Father Wyszyński got the idea of such a title from the book written by Francis Arias, SJ. Father Wyszyński quotes his words: “She is the noble Star rising from the House of Jacob whose rays illuminate the whole world, the light which shines from high above penetrating the depths and piercing the earth. It warms the soul more than the body; it preserves virtue and de- stroys bad habits. She is the brightest and most magnificent star above the vast sea of the world, shining with virtue and illumi- nating with merit. If someone is immersed in the turbulent wa- ters of this world, more than walking on solid ground, he should not turn his eyes away from this star if he does not want to drown. When the gales of temptation rise against you and you fall into the trap of your senses, look up to this Star and call upon Mary. When anger, greed, or covetousness shake the vessel of your mind, look to Mary. When you become inundated by the waves 68 Z YGMUNT P ROCZEK , MIC, P H D