Lumen 2018

posed on the “Marian Hermits” by Bishop Swiecicki. It was never Fr. Papczynski’s intention to found the Marians as a contemplative community in which they would be prevented from conducting the pastoral work outside the walls of the monastery that he had envi- sioned for them. His “Society of Mary Immaculate” was to be apos- tolic in its character and the norms imposed by the Visitator did not take these plans into account. But Fr. Papczynski wanted to be obe- dient and modified his original concept a little. He adapted the Rule of Life to the bishop’s statutes, changing its apostolic character to a more “eremitic” one, with the exception of these elements which he considered exaggerated and absolutely unacceptable to the Marians. It was only in 1699 that certain elements, that had already been a part of the Marian apostolic practice for some time, could be officially included in the Rule of Life . Father Papczynski’s efforts were directed at obtaining permanent permissions to conduct apostolic work, 78 while the modified Rule of Life pointed to a more eremitic and pen- itentiary lifestyle and did not encourage apostolic work outside the monastery. And it had to remain so for some time because the Mar- ians obtained approbation of their Congregation precisely due to its eremitic status which they had adopted. 79 The Work of Evangelization Father Papczynski skillfully combined the work of the founder of a religious congregation with pastoral service. With the bishop’s per- mission, he would leave the monastery from time to time to assist pastors in the neighboring villages, e.g., in Wiskitki, Mszczonow, Rawa, Jeruzal, Chojnata, Studzianna, Lewiczyn, Jasieniec, and many others. 80 He would walk to these villages, preach sermons there, teach catechism, hear confessions, and preside over religious services — everything was done to the great spiritual benefit of the faithful. 81 He was most glad to do pastoral work among simple people. He tried to convince them that human life, whether short or long, has consequences in eternity. He encouraged them to abandon sin and 267 Foundation of a New Religious Order