MARIANS IN 1670-1788 78 interpretation was promoted by Bishop Wierzbowski and adopted by Fr. Papczyński.66 Most Marian historians in the 20th century also accepted the theory that the Marian Order received approval to erect the Confraternity of the Immaculate Conception in 1681.67 From the documents, it appears that it was Fr. Casimir Wyszyński, while in Rome, who obtained permission to promote the Scapular of the Immaculate Conception and establish the Confraternity. The Confraternity of the Immaculate Conception was first introduced in the church of the Korabiew Forest on June 26, 1734.68 Although the papal breve was not an approval, the Congregation’s status was raised by its very citation in the papal document and by the bestowal of numerous privileges on its members. On the day of their joining the Congregation, the Marians received permission to grant a plenary indulgence to people who would utter the name of Jesus at the hour of their death as well as to give it annually on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception; the Marians could also grant partial indulgences on holidays, at holy ceremonies, and for corporal and spiritual works of mercy toward body and soul.69 Having received the apostolic brief, on May 22, 1681, Bishop Wierzbowski proclaimed a special rescript, by which he confirmed the authoritativeness of this document, apprised the clergy and the faithful in his diocese of its contents, and expressed his heartfelt joy on receiving the apostolic letter:70 “Great joy filled us when we received from the Holy See […] this latest document.”71 His sentiment is not surprising: Bishop Wierzbowski regarded himself as a co-founder of the Marians, was in close contact with the Cenacle and its inhabitants, frequently visited 66 Fr. Papczyński, concerning this confraternity, decreed in Norma Vitae, VII, 8, as follows: “The Superior [General] will assign to each house a promoter of the Confraternity of the Immaculate Conception assisting the souls of the faithful departed. Let the Confraternity be erected in your churches, if not already done, on the basis of the permission granted by Pope Innocent XI on March 20, 1681, and on the basis of the admission of this document on the part of the Ordinary” [Bishop Wierzbowski]. 67 Jan Kosmowski, Marianie w latach 1787-1864, Warszawa — Lublin, 2004, pp. 206-211. 68 AGM, Prot. Gosl., s. 243-244, Introductio ConFather Immaculatae Conc. Ecclesiam Corab., die 26 Junii 1734. 69 Breve Cum sicut accepimus of March 20, 1681. Positio, Papczyński, pp. 406-409. 70 Letter of Bishop Stefan Wierzbowski of May 22, 1681, Positio, Papczyński, pp. 410-411. 71 Ibid, “Laetari Nos vehementer fatemur cum Sancta Sede Apostolica quam a S. Spiritu indubitenter credimus gubernari, hoc recentissimum documentum recepimus.”
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjI2Mw==