Father Casimir Wyszynski

monastery in Spain. He added that a certain Franciscan had been healed through the intercession of Father Stanislaus. Out of grat- itude for the healing, the Franciscan translated into Portuguese Father Stanislaus’s biography composed by Father Wyszyński: “We expect a successful progress of our Reverend Founder’s process for he has many venerators here. As soon as the matter reaches the Sacred Congregation of Rites, then undoubtedly this kingdom rich in gold will help us, being aware that it is a matter of the beatification of a holy man. Even as I amwriting this letter, my great benefactor, having visited an artist, has commissioned a statue of our Father Founder” (August 3, 1754). By the word and example of his own life the Servant of God Father Casimir laid the foundations for permanently establishing the Marians on Portuguese soil. However, he sensed that the end of his laborious lifewas approaching. It was his wish that the ties between the Marians in Portugal and the Order’s government in Poland would not be severed at the moment of his death. There- fore, he wrote to the Superior General: “We have to take into se- rious consideration the fact that the Congregation here will undoubtedly grow and ought not to separate from us after my death for lack of contact with Poland…” Indeed, Father Casimir’s premonition of his approaching death shortly came true. On Friday, September 19, 1755, an attack of malaria put him to the sickbed. With great difficulty he man- aged to celebrate HolyMass that day in honor of St. Januarius, his patron saint. The time to struggle with the final sufferings that lasted amonth came upon him. On Saturday, October 4, the litur- gical commemoration of his second patron, St. Francis of Assisi, Father Casimir could not rise from bed. Witnesses of the Servant of God’s last days spoke of his ex- traordinary patience and gratitude towards those attending to him. He remainedmentally fit, of peaceful mind, and assenting to God’s will until his last moment. He wished to stay united with the Suffering Christ. He calmly prepared himself for passing from this life to another, believing firmly that Satan was powerless in the face of a venerator of Mary Immaculate. He frequently re- peated: “Blessed be the Name of the Lord!” 97 The Servant of Mary Immaculate