45 Beginnings: 1670-1677 Establishing the House of Recollection in the Korabiew Forest: Hopes and Difficulties Various attacks and slanders against Fr. Papczyński failed to mar his reputation as a virtuous, prudent, and spiritual man.73 The sanctity of his life attracted candidates for his community. Many clergymen and laypeople wishing to join the Congregation contacted him while he stayed in Lubocza. Still more arrived at the Korabiew Forest and — as he himself recorded — “I would not neglect the laws of the Church which are usually observed in respect to such constructions. If on the other hand I would like to proceed in founding the Congregation, without complying with what should be observed, in these two years [1674-1675] I would already have both several houses and many companions.”74 This happy change of circumstances gave hope for an earlier realization of his intention, “inspired by God,” to found a Marian Institute, as well as for its future stability and development. On October 24, 1673, after completing a visitation of the parish church in Jeruzal, Bishop Stanisław Jacek Święcicki75 unexpectedly arrived at the Korabiew Forest. He was there on the orders of his bishop, Stefan Wierzbowski, to conduct a visitation of the Korabiew hermitage. Various reports about the hermits’ too-lax lifestyle had reached the bishop. After his visit, Bishop Święcicki blessed the hermitage and approved the Marian Institute,76 but he believed that Krajewski and the hermits should be removed from the hermitage. At the request of Fr. Papczyński, Bishop Święcicki decided to leave them there but subject them to a trial.77 To achieve this, he ordered the hermits to adhere to 73 APS 10 f. 220v-222r. Evidence of Father Dionysius Kisieliński. APS 10 f. 148v. Evidence of Father Cyprian Fijałkowski. See the opinion of Bishop Stephen Wierzbowski, in: S. Sydry, O. Stanisław, p. 150. 74 S. Papczyński, The Foundation of the House of Recollections, 26, in: Selected Writings, p. 913. 75 Bishop Stanisław Jacek Święcicki was born around 1630. After receiving episcopal consecration, he was appointed as the Archdeacon and Official of Warsaw. He belonged to the Order of Canons Regular. In 1677, he was transferred to the Diocese of Chełm. He was known as a zealous pastor. See Piotr Nitecki, Biskupi Kościoła w Polsce (966-1999). Słownik biograficzny, Warszawa 2000, p. 440. 76 Navikevicius, pp. 166-168. 77 Positio, Papczyński, pp. 339-345. In addition to Krajewski, there were three other hermits in the hermitage. Cf. APS 10 f. 148. Evidence of Father Cyprian Fijałkowski.
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