Lumen 2018

ample for his confreres. He wanted to teach them how to live a life full of virtues, such that they would be affirmed in their vocation and encouraged to make greater efforts to obtain the kingdom of God. He knew that natural strength and ability alone were not sufficient to obtain this goal. Grace and assistance from above were also nec- essary. Therefore, he taught his confreres how necessary the inter- cession of the Most Holy Virgin Mary was. He discovered himself that the easiest way to draw closer to Jesus was through Mary’s in- tercession. He spread the honor of her Immaculate Conception among them, he introduced the Office of the Immaculate Concep- tion and obliged them to recite it every day (together and in private) in honor of the Blessed Mother. The said Office was approved by Pope Innocent XI, 41 and Fr. Papczynski also tried to make sure that the confreres would sing it together with the faithful on holy days. 42 In order to spread the honor of this mystery, he ordered in his Constitutions that Confraternities of the Immaculate Conception be established at Marian monasteries and chapels. Each of these con- fraternities had an obligation to come to the aid of the souls suffering in Purgatory. 43 In order to come to the aid of these souls, he found- ed, upon the authorization of the Holy See, many altars endowed with privileges. His concern for the souls in Purgatory was so great that whenever he stopped to talk to people, he would often pray a Chaplet of the Immaculate Conception together with them for those who suffer in Purgatory. 44 Father Stanislaus also venerated St. Michael, Prince of the Heav- enly Hosts. He wanted this special devotion to be practiced by the confreres, therefore, he chose St. Michael the Archangel to be the protector and defender of the Congregation of Marian Fathers. He also venerated other angels. Whenever he passed through a village or town, he would always greet the Guardian Angels of those places and pray nine “Hail Marys” in their honor. 45 Father Stanislaus, a great venerator and imitator of Mary, also ven- erated St. Joseph, her husband. 46 He showed similar veneration for S TANISLAUS P APCZYNSKI 374