MARIANS IN 1670-1788 102 “As for the regulations that were prescribed for the retreat house in the Korabiew Forest, […] which pertained to […] the observance of silence and interaction with strangers, we consider and decree that they should not apply to other houses.”146 The bishop was also close to the idea of a congregation with a more apostolic charism. Therefore, in the discussed document, in addition to Bishop Święcicki’s decree from 1673, he also approved Norma Vitae as legally binding for the Marians, which in its content contained many passages talking about apostolic work, the need to preach the Gospel, and bear witness to it through one’s own holy life, also included in Foundation of the House of Recollections. Thanks to the preserved documentation, we can trace how, from the very beginning, Fr. Papczyński aimed to free himself and his confrères from the restrictions imposed on their apostolic activities by the legal status of hermits. We see the evolution of the Congregation, its purpose, observance, and charism. Without wanting to jeopardize their first legal guardian, Bishop Święcicki, Fr. Papczyński discreetly conveyed his intuition of the apostolic charism of the order to the Marians, indicating that when there was a need, they should not avoid apostolic work. In the introduction to Norma Vitae, he directed encouraging words to his brethren: “Although this Congregation is erected in the public status of Hermits, it does not insist so much on solitude as to consider unmeritorious for itself to sometimes engage also in spiritual services for the neighbors — as far as it is lawful — without harming anybody else.”147 The Chapter about the aim of the community contains even stronger encouragement for undertaking apostolic work. However, it is worded somewhat cautiously: “Since the contemplative life is not binding you so strictly, although you are founded in the eremitical status, those gifted with such talents will not be prevented from humbly helping pastors in their church work if they would be called upon by pastors, and have previously obtained faculties from the ordinaries and the superiors.”148 Aware that, from a legal point of view, the Marians are still hermits, he realizes that too bold an exhortation to apostolate could lead to increased attacks from opponents. This text was written after difficult and painful experiences 146 S. Sydry, O. Stanisław, p. 162. 147 S. Papczyński, The Rule of Life, Informative Preface, 3, in: Selected Writings, p. 54-55. 148 S. Papczyński, The Rule of Life I, 3, in: Selected Writings, p. 57.
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