Lumen 2018

387 The End of Father Stanislaus’s Life time. In order to prevent the establishment of the foundation at Go- zlin, he slandered the new Marian institute not only before the local bishop, but also before various other prominent people. He claimed that the Church of God did not need the Congregation of the Im- maculate Conception and quoted many reasons to gain supporters for his plans. He held on to his conviction, turning a deaf ear to the pleas and arguments made by the founder, Count Lasocki. Father Wyszynski further recalled that heaven itself intervened in this conflict because, on the night of June 31[sic!], 1699, when the pastor turned in for the night and before he fell asleep, two demons under the guise of black monsters with whips in their hands appeared to him, ready to flog him. They were not able to do it because the priest had an icon of the Blessed Mother in his cell, before which a light was burning. The demons only shook their whips at him and said: “You are fortunate that the light is burning before this Virgin” and disappeared. Terrified by this vision, the pastor always made sure that the light was burning before the icon in his cell. But, one night, when the light died out, the demons returned and gave him a painful beating with their sticks. He cried for help, but no one came to his rescue. Almost dying with pain, he called to God and the Blessed Virgin Mary for help. At that moment, the house was filled with light and the black monsters disappeared. A Beautiful figure, dressed in a white habit, just like the one worn by the Marians, entered the pastor’s cell. The figure approached the priest’s bed and asked: “Do you know why you were flogged?” “I don’t, my Lord,” answered the priest. “Know, then,” said the figure, “that it was because you are persecuting the Blessed Virgin’s companions.” The figure continued, “Do you want to regain your health and live?” “Yes, I do, please, my Lord,” answer- ed the priest. “Swear, then,” said the figure, “that you shall not per- secute them any longer.” The priest answered, “I swear, my Lord.” At that point, the figure told him to repeat the oath three times. The priest did so eagerly and without any objections. After he had made the oath, the figure touched him and said, “You will not die.” As the