Father Casimir Wyszynski

of Portuguese. Nevertheless, I understood the Servant of God per- fectly. He said that he was coming from Poland and going to Lis- bon, having been called there to establish his religious order; that he was carrying letters to the king; and that he was travelling on foot all the time.” This testimony was obtained during the infor- mation process conducted in Portugal in regard to the holiness of Father Casimir. It should be mentioned that the writer, Anthony da Silva e Sousa, remained a great friend and benefactor of the Marians in Portugal until his death. Father Casimir also described the beginnings of theMarianmission in Portugal in two letters to the Superior General of the Marians in Rome. When on October 10, 1753, the two travelers reached Lisbon they discovered that neither the royal court nor any person of note in Portugal had even thought about a foundation for the Marians. The entire matter proved to be a fabrication of Father Anthony de Souza Salazar who had himself tried to establish an Order of the Immaculate Conception. His efforts so far were not yielding any results. Father Salazar learned from the Franciscans of the existence of the Marians of the Immaculate Conception and decided to bring themover to Portugal to carry out his own plans. The Mar- ians from Poland were to be only a tool in his hands. Actually, he treated them very badly, insulting and degrading their dignity, thus submitting to trial their humility and sanctity. Father Benon Bujalski could not bear such treatment and fell seriously ill. His return to Poland had become imperative. As soon as his health allowed, on December 26, 1753, he set out in spite of the ele- ments on a return trip to Poland by land. That left the Servant of God, Father Casimir, alone in Father Salazar’s house, destined to endure sufferings, offences, insults and brutality. He was tested and sorely tried as if he were the worst of novices, in the hope that he might apply himself to founding a new and different religious order. Years later, Salazar came to regret his behavior and intended to go to Balsamão to Father Casimir’s tomb to beg forgiveness for his harshness. 94 Z YGMUNT P ROCZEK , MIC, P H D