Lumen 2018

Introduction 39 in Hungary in two weeks’ time. He burnt and destroyed whatever he could, “leaving only water and soil.” Later, having accepted a large ransom from Rakoczy’s mother, he, together with Czarniecki, beat Rakoczy on the territory of the Republic of Poland, which was, quite understandably, very hostile to the plunderers. At Czarny Os- trow in Podolia, Rakoczy lost his army, was taken prisoner, and, hav- ing left hostages and a promise of ransom, returned to his fellow countrymen accompanied by only a small retinue. Wherever he went, he was met by the cries and curses of those who, through his fault, lost their sons, husbands, and brothers. 27 The Republic of Poland during Fr. Stanislaus Papczynski’s lifetime could impress with her large territory. The country was in a period of great territorial growth. After the peace treaty of Polanow in 1634, it stretched over 990,000 square kilometers and was the third largest European country. In terms of population, it occupied seventh place with its 10 million inhabitants. Its population was only one-third smaller than that of Germany and a half smaller than that of France. 28 The times, in which Stanislaus Papczynski happened to live, left their mark on his work as a writer, shepherd of souls, and founder of a religious congregation. He lived through and deeply experienced the moments of the 17 th century Poland’s splendor as well as her struggles and defeats. 29 It might be said that Fr. Papczynski departed from this world along with the grandeur of his homeland, which flared up once again under John III Sobieski’s reign, only to plunge into the darkness of the years to come when Poland was partitioned. NOTES 1. H. Tuchle, C. Bouman, Historia Kosciola , Warsaw, 1986, p. 161. 2. T. Manteuffel, ed., Historia Polski , vol. I, Warsaw, 1958, pp. 548-551.