MARIANS IN 1670-1788 88 so, the help for souls in Purgatory. About the latter, the bishop wrote: “It is necessary to remember particularly all those who were killed in wars or perished during various epidemics and disasters […], let them be required to stay at the side of those sentenced by law to execution (death).”96 He repeatedly mentioned this duty entrusted to the Marians in his documents. He believed it to be a noble, beautiful, and merciful command, flowing solely from pure mercy, as earthly gratitude could not be expected from those most forgotten in death. Such an attitude was very close to his spirituality. Bishop Wierzbowski bade farewell to the clergy, friends, and family in his testament. He died on March 6, 1687. As his last will specified, a very modest funeral was held three days after his death. The body was laid to rest under sandstone in the church on Calvary Hill. Humble words, which the bishop had personally ordered, were carved on the stone: “Lord, You forgave the thief who was hanged near You. Please forgive me who is buried here.”97 An important event in the history of the Marian Order worth mentioning is the visit of Fr. Papczyński to Bishop Wierzbowski shortly before his death. When Fr. Stanislaus asked the bishop for his blessing for the Order, the Bishop, while giving it, said that he was leaving them to the Divine Providence.98 From that moment, the pious practice of prayers to Divine Providence became a permanent part of Marian spirituality, and Fr. Wyszyński applied for the erection of the Confraternity of Divine Providence at the church of the Cenacle.99 The Marians on the Papal Law: November 24, 1699 With the death of Bishop Wierzbowski, the Marians lost their true defender and protector. Opponents of the Order took advantage of the situation and renewed their accusations against the Marians before the 96 Cf. S. Sydry, O. Stanisław, p. 159. 97 The tombstone with this inscription is located on the churchyard “On the Hill” (Na Górce). 98 Leporini, P. 55. “Hinc ultimate visitans suum Benefactorem Ep. S. Wierzbowski petit ab eo benedictionem paternam, et pro sua Congregatione expostulando iniquit: ‘Quid etami nobis sua Celsitudo relinquit In testamento? Cui Episcopus: Divinam providentiam.’” 99 ASV, Sec. Brev., Indulg. Perp. Vol. 8 (1735-1758). Indulg. pro Confraternitatibus f. 176 r.
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