Lumen 2018

A Man of Deep Faith Father Papczynski’s biographers and the witnesses in the Infor- mation Process point out that he distinguished himself by deep faith from very early on in his life. Born and raised among simple folk, who not only accepted the truths of the faith but also lived according to them every day, Fr. Stanislaus developed a true spirit of piety. It expressed itself in his zealous participation in the religious services at the parish church and in the trust that he placed in God and the Most Holy Virgin when he had to face various difficulties and dan- gers. He preserved this spirit of faith during the difficult time of his youth. During his studies, he distinguished himself by humility and many other spiritual attributes. 3 Guided by supernatural motives which had their source in his faith, he declined an offer of marriage after he had completed his studies in order to realize the ideal of the evangelical counsels on the path to the religious life. He was convinced that he made this deci- sion in response to a special inspiration from God. 4 His faith contin- ued to deepen, so much so that during the time of his novitiate at the Piarist Fathers, he became known for his zeal in the spiritual life. 5 It was during that time, when he was only 25 years of age, that he was ready for martyrdom. He was ready to die for the faith when he was attacked by a Protestant Swedish soldier on one of the streets of Warsaw. 6 Later, too, he was referred to as a model of religious life and Christian perfection. 7 After he had left the Piarists, during the period preceding the founding of the Congregation of Marian Fathers, many of his con- temporaries, some of whom were very prominent men, considered him to be a man of great sanctity. 8 His faith helped him to overcome the tremendous difficulties associated with the foundation of a new religious family. He would always overcome them, trusting in Divine Providence. 9 Father Papczynski’s ardent faith also expressed itself in the pil- grimages that he made to various holy places. Pilgrimages to religious S TANISLAUS P APCZYNSKI 420