Lest You Remain

neighbor, unanimity of intentions, humility, patience, sobriety, and modesty; faithful fulfilling of their vocation and firm perseverance in it; unchanging devotion to the Virgin Mary conceived without stain; zealous support of the faithful departed; obser- vance of [our] rules; religious discipline and perfection; and an ever fervent spirit. May they remember that a most sure and infallible reward is in store for them for everything that they pledged to God and to the Most Elect Virgin.” Conclusion Looking at Fr. Stanislaus Papczy<ski ’s life, one recognizes in him an encounter with God in human affairs, often with heroic trust and confidence. More than reports of miracles and mystical graces attributed to Fr. Stanislaus (vision of the Purgatory, foretelling of the future, healing of the sick, or even resurrection of the dead), which were already present in his first biographies, we are astounded by his fortitude in fol- lowing God’s inspiration and his struggle with difficulties. His struggles and doubts is what makes more visible the work of the Holy Spirit in life of the Founder of the Marian Order. His way of faith and vocation is closely united with his appeal for self- resignation, for trusting in the fulfillment of things that seem to be impossible, and for faithfulness until the end. How similar is he, Fr. Papczy<ski to her whom he so loved and honored—Mary Immaculate, the Trusting Virgin . Father Papczy<ski ’s holiness matured on the road of faith, and in some way found its consummation in the heroic work of founding of our Congregation. For the realization of this Divine charism the Founder, Father Papczy<ski , put all in perspec- tive: he resigned from an ecclesiastical career, he agreed to the onus of forming ill- fitted candidates for his Order; faced painful waves of mockery, accusations, libels, and even physical suffering. He withstood physical assaults of his and the Order’s enemies. For the sake of his institute he jeopardized his reputation and bore long years of toils and waiting. Recalling the words of St. Paul the Apostle, we may say that Fr. Papczy<ski in pain brought forth the Congregation of the Marian Fathers. The glory of this work he left to the Lord Jesus and His Immaculate Mother in his last tes- tament: “I, the unworthy superior of this small Congregation, commend it for all eter- nity to my Lord Jesus Christ and His Most Elect Virgin Mother Mary, the most holy, as the true and only Founders, Directors, Protectors and Patrons of this small Con- gregation of the Immaculate Conception supporting the deceased” ( Second Testa- ment , 1699/1701). L EST Y OU R EMAIN W ITHOUT W ORK IN THE V INEYARD OF THE L ORD 94