Lest You Remain

Being convinced that the Holy Spirit formed in his mind the shape of the new religious congregation, Fr. Papczy<ski became assured that God Himself was its creator, and if so, there was no need to worry about its future. God Himself will take care of the new community, will protect it from all dangers and preserve it as long as there would be a need for it in the Church. However, one thing was required from the community: to be faithful to its charism. Surely, this is why Fr. Papczy<ski warned, before dying, that nothing of essence be changed in the congregation, in other words—its Marian charism. Another feature of every founder is the desire to serve the Church, concern for it radiating with the brilliance of holiness. Father Stanislaus perceived a great need for proclaiming the Good News to the poor, religiously neglected people, especial- ly those in rural areas. First, Fr. Stanislaus fulfills the calling to care about the Church, as a result of contemplative life, primarily through giving pastoral help to diocesan priests in parishes, and only then to create Marian parishes. His true pas- toral zeal found its expression in his humble assistance to pastors, in delivering ser- mons, hearing confessions. All this contributed to his being called the Apostle of Mazowsze. His pastoral love for people and his concern for their salvation embraced also souls suffering in Purgatory, to whom he brought help through prayer and penance. Founders inspired by God are not always able to establish permanent commu- nity structures, so that they could thrive and assimilate the charism of the founder. Even though the circumstances accompanying the founding of the Marian Congregation were difficult and even very hostile, nevertheless Fr. Papczy<ski lived to see its approval by the Holy See on November 24, 1699—which laid the foundation for the further creation of necessary structures to the Marian life. However, the Founder’s most important feature was his ability to pass on to his community a spirituality that could enliven people and their works. Father Stanislaus was the first who lived by the Marian charism and shared it with his community through words and example. His main inspiration for following the road of the evangelical counsels was Blessed Virgin Mary in her mystery of the Immaculate Conception. He associated the care for the purity of heart with love for the Church so that it would be filled with grace of faithfulness to God’s will. With his merciful love he embraced also souls suffering in Purgatory. He left this man- ner of life as legacy for his confreres in vocation. Father Founder is the one who gives life, in other words, who dies for Christ so that only His glory would be revealed to the community and people to whom it’s been sent. The more holy the life of the founder the greater is the power of the grace of the charism. We believe in Fr. Stanislaus holiness, if only because his charism is L EST Y OU R EMAIN W ITHOUT W ORK IN THE V INEYARD OF THE L ORD 216