195 Striving to Follow Their Own Path content of each subsequent incorporation act was similar, but the Marian Fathers became increasingly dependent on the Reformates with each new incorporation.207 The repeated call for obedience in the act of incorporation and the inclusion of a requirement in the Statutes for the Marian general to consult with the minister general of the Reformates in every important matter stifled many Marian initiatives. This is because, in every innovative matter, the general government had to consider whether they could undertake certain actions and were allowed to do this or that. Such a situation caused turmoil and generated opposition among some Marians. However, any resistance was effectively blocked during Chapters led by the Reformates by promulgating numerous disciplinary decrees. A fundamental and difficult question arises: if this relationship between the two institutions caused so much turmoil, rebellion, and division among the Marian Fathers, why was it so enduring and defended throughout almost the entire 18th century? The preserved archival materials provide little information on this matter. Fr. John Niezabitowski, in his report from Rome, informed the General Father that the Marians lived in fear and were afraid to address these issues officially.208 On the other hand, Fr. Candide Spourny explained this dependency on the Reformates in a broader context. He believed that “the friars [Reformates] have a reason to take pride in our Order, which has far more excellent and, by virtue of its original establishment, more noble goals, namely: a. Spreading devotion to the Immaculate Virgin. b. Assisting the souls of the faithful departed. c. Engaging in missions among the common people. d. Supporting the diocesan clergy in their tasks. By fulfilling these goals, if we desired and could do so, we would be able to recommend our Order far better among the common people and the most important individuals. [...] But because we acknowledge their authority over us, they take pride in being the staunch defenders of the 207 Prot. Ord., p. 198. The first “Supplex Libellus” was given to Fr. Papczyński in 1691 by Fr. Charles of Varesio, vicar general. The second incorporation took place during the General Chapter of the Franciscans of Observance in 1699 and it was granted by Father Matthew of St. Stephen, Minister General of the Order. The third incorporation was granted on Dec. 13, 1723. 208 Listy, letters of Candide Spourny, 1, 3, 4, 6.
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