Lumen 2018

PREFACE Every nation has great people in its history. They are put on a pedestal and held in great respect. As they stand out because of their talent, a genius of mind, or heroic deeds, they stir up the admiration of their contemporaries and the pride of future generations. But the titles of greatness are not usually distributed in an identical manner, for there are many different criteria of greatness. Impeccable moral attitude, a great heart, and a magnificent spirit have been the claims to glory in the Polish national tradition. Our greatest heroes possessed such attributes. In the course of a thousand years of our history, we have not declared anyone a hero unless he shined with virtues, espe- cially those of nobility and dedication. 1 From among the most magnificent sons of the Polish nation, there come to the forefront those saints born on Polish soil. The Church elevated many of them to the honors of the altar both in the past and in our times, especially now when the greatest from the line of great Poles, Pope John Paul II, occupies the Chair of St. Peter. Many are still awaiting the day of their glory. Father Stanislaus Papczynski (1631-1701), founder of the first Polish clerical religious order, the Order of Marian Fathers, is undoubtedly one of the spiritual giants. He is very close to being raised to the honors of the altar since his be- atification process has already been crowned with the decree about the heroic nature of his virtues. 2 Pope John Paul II mentioned him on the occasion of the canonization of Blessed Kinga, which took place on June 16, 1999, in Stary Sacz. In his words to the pilgrims, delivered after the Mass, the Holy Father said among others: “It is difficult not to mention here the Servant of God, Fr. Stanislaus Pa- pczynski, who was born in nearby Podegrodzie, who became famous here for his holiness, which is being confirmed by his beatification process currently under way. I am very happy that the apostolic spirit of the saints and the blessed is still alive in the Tarnow Church.” 3