Lumen 2018

In the evening of March 6 or 7, 1687, Bishop Stephen Wierz- bowski gave up his spirit to God. Bidding him a sorrowful farewell were not only the clergy and the faithful, but, first of all, Fr. Papczyn- ski and his Congregation. Father Papczynski did not remain all alone after his protector’s death. The following year, Bishop Wierzbowski’s relatives came to Nowa Jerozolima and, in a statement dated Octo- ber 26, 1688, confirmed the Marian foundation and took the Con- gregation under their protection. 258 Meditations on Our Lord’s Passion with a Dedication Just as it was in his lifetime, similarly, after the death of the founder of Nowa Jerozolima, many groups of pilgrims continued to arrive at this shrine. The faithful visited the chapels, followed the paths of the Stations of the Cross, pondering the mysteries of the Lord’s Passion. Quite often Fr. Stanislaus would lead such a group, preach sermons at his little church, at other local churches, or, simply, outside in the open. His solid theological background, deep spiritual life, and ped- agogical talents bore magnificent fruit in the confessional. People of various social standing came to him, bearing the burden of sins, doubts, or scruples. They left reconciled with God and with their spirits lifted. He accepted them with love as if they were his relatives. He helped them to find even the tiniest shreds of goodness in their souls and counseled them in such a way that they would not continue to wade in spiritual mediocrity. Still, the growth of his Congregation was the most important mat- ter for the Founder of the Marians. Fr. Stanislaus decided to have his constitutions published. He had managed to obtain Bishop Wierz- bowski’s approval before he died, and published his Rule of Life in Warsaw in 1687. 259 In the constitutions approved by the Bishop of Poznan, the members of Fr. Papczynski’s community were referred to as “Clerics Recollect of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary Conceived without Sin,” although the name “Marians” appeared as well. It was still a con- 325 Foundation of a New Religious Order