Lumen 2018

S OLEMN P ROFESSION Waiting for the return of the bearers of good news from Rome was very difficult for Fr. Stanislaus. He was already advanced in years, seriously ill, and his envoys were late in returning. At that time, he needed good news more than anything else in the world. Finally, to- wards the end of March, his envoys arrived back in Nowa Jerozolima and brought him such good news. 99 One can only imagine the joy of the ailing Founder when the bear- ers of the grace of the Holy See appeared at the gates of the monast- ery. The work of his life was successfully concluded, and he could now prepare himself to leave this world in peace. As he held the doc- uments in his hands and saw the Rule of the Ten Virtues of the Blessed Virgin Mary adapted to the Marian statutes, he was filled with great joy. He thanked God and His Most Glorious Mother for such a tre- mendous grace, namely, that he did not die before he saw this Rule of the Virgin Mary . He kissed it with utmost love and cried out just as Simeon did: “Lord, let Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation ...” (Lk 2:29-30). At that moment, Fr. Stanislaus felt as light as one feels “after a long cry.“ He was so happy that it seemed that someone had re- moved all of his cares at end of his life. The extraordinary joy strengthened him so much that he left his cell and, surrounded by his confreres, made his way to the Church of the Cenacle, singing Te Deum laudamus with great enthusiasm and gratitude. Great joy, just as great pain, is usually expressed in silence. But his joy was too great, no wonder he wanted to sing it! Afterwards, he returned to his cell where he had a revelation that he would soon die. He shared this news with his confreres and soon completed his second and last testament. 100 The testament is an ardent declaration of his love for God, for the Blessed Mother, for the Church, and for the Marian community. Thoughts about repentance are mixed there with grat- itude to God and to the people for all the blessings and kindness that he had received. 393 The End of Father Stanislaus’s Life