Lumen 2018

S TANISLAUS P APCZYNSKI 62 fixed, watched the surface of the river sparkling in the sun. The thick forests, the murmuring streams, the big, mysterious mountains looming in the distance, sculpted his soul with their constant charm, making it sensitive to beauty and capable of noble aspirations. All these experiences found their expression later in his poetry, sermons and lectures. 93 Meanwhile, far away fromPodegrodzie, something was always boil- ing in this cauldron called the Republic of Poland, and, only from time to time, the echoes of this turmoil would reach this quiet mountainous corner. It was not only the political situation in Europe at that time that had a decisive influence on the events in Poland, but also the Polish king’s dreams about the Swedish crown. Ladislaus IV was a dreamer and often disregarded reality and the nation’s aspirations. Financial troubles often forced him to pawn the royal jewels. It is quite possible that the poor people of Podegrodzie had no idea that the financial trou- bles of their monarch were so serious that his court suffered poverty and hunger, so much so that it was necessary to ask the parliament to cover the royal debt from the “common treasury.” 94 The life of Fr. Papczynski’s compatriots was affected a lot more directly by the campaigns organized by the Tartars. They often at- tacked Lvov, Podolia, Korsun, and the territories beyond the Dnier River, where the famous Jeremy Wisniowiecki 95 would have to re- store order. T HE S CHOOL Y EARS When the Papkas’ son reached school age, he was enrolled at the local parish school. 96 At first, he was unable to fulfill even the most elementary requirements there. While his older brother, Peter, ex- hibited great talent for studies, Johnny, in the conviction of his par- ents and relatives, did not show any promise in that area. Therefore, he was withdrawn from school and returned home to tend his fa- ther’s sheep.