Lumen 2018

setting a bad example for the two seminarians, Fr. Stanislaus ex- plained that he tried to talk them out of their decision to leave and encouraged them to take the solemn vows. Then, in answer to Fr. Kraus’s warnings that his conscience will torment him for having given up his first vocation, Fr. Papczynski added that he was follow- ing the advice of prominent theologians in all these matters. After- wards, he left in the company of his guard. 211 The next day a letter from the Superior General of the Piarists, together with the papal breve, came to Kazimierz. The letter con- tained a special authorization for Fr. Michael regarding the release of Fr. Stanislaus and Brs. Casimir and Bernard. When Fr. Papczynski heard this news, he expressed a wish that the ceremony of his release be held publicly at the cathedral church in Cracow. But Fr. Michael responded that this event did not merit such great recognition and invited Fr. Stanislaus and his companions to the Piarist house at Kaz- imierz. When all three of them arrived there (on December 8, 1670?), Fr. Kraus refused to perform the ceremony because they did not have any lay garments with them. He did not give in even when they assured him that they would soon have proper garments. Therefore, they asked Bishop Oborski to intercede on their be- half. 212 The bishop summoned Fr. Michael on December 10 th and tried for a long time to convince him to allow them to remain in their habits a little longer. When the three of them made a written promise before the bishop to stop wearing the Piarist habit by De- cember 14 th , Fr. Kraus finally agreed to perform the ceremony. The Final Parting The act of releasing Fr. Stanislaus from the Congregation of the Piarist Fathers, so long awaited and under preparation for such a long time, finally took place at the Piarist residence at Kazimierz on De- cember 11, 1670, 213 according to a formula prescribed by the Supe- rior General. At the close of the ceremony Fr. Papczynski made the following solemn declaration ( oblatio ): S TANISLAUS P APCZYNSKI 206