Father Casimir Wyszynski

made responsible for order, he would not report anyone [misbe- having] at a meeting or at recreation, but would admonish him privately. 33 From the beginning of his life in the Marian community, Ven- erable Casimir endeavored to fulfill precisely the duties set forth in the Statutes. The Statutes, approved by Pope Innocent XIII in 1723, contained the following instruction: “There aremany simple folks in the Kingdom of Poland who are ignorant of the mysteries of the Faith. The Marian Fathers shall endeavor to instruct such folks either in their own or in parish churches, in the villages or in hospices, whenever an opportunity arises. They [Marians] are obliged to convey Christian teachings according to the RomanCat- echism and the customs of the Saintly Fathers, doing so with sim- plicity so that all can understand it and with zeal so that no one would leave without spiritual benefit. They shall teach not subtle mysteries or scholastic debates, but only the truthswhich are nec- essary for salvation, namely: how best to come to a knowledge of God, to venerate and loveHimand fulfill their Christianobligations. In aword, it is about showing to all social strata the path that leads to heaven in accordance with their ability to grasp it.” 34 Venerable Casimir even opposed his Superior General who wanted to admit him to ordination right after finishing the novi- tiate: “After [I made] profession of vows, he wanted me to be a dunce and without considering further studies for me or for the others, would have admitted me to ordination. As he showed no intention of sendingme to study, I requested it. For it is not fitting to be a priest without education and it is dangerous to hear con- fessions without proper training. Therefore, tactfully I had to rouse him to organize studies for us.” 35 33 A. Magnuszewski, Żywot… , 30. 34 Statuta Patrum Marianorum Ordinis BMV sub titulo Immaculatae Concep- tionis, Defunctis et Parochis In Cura Animarum suffragantium Congregationis Polonie, ab Innocento XIII aprobata Anno 1723 , caput 6, 1. 35 Relacja o duchu proroczymCzcigodnego Ojca Stanisława , in: Stróż duchowego dziedzictwamarianów. Wybór pismo. KazimierzaWyszyńskiego , translated [into Polish] and edited by Fr. Z. Proczek, MIC, Warszawa-Stockbridge 2004, 163. 83 The Servant of Mary Immaculate