89 Apostolate or Contemplation: 1677-1723 new Ordinary of the Diocese of Poznań, Bishop Stanisław Witwicki (1687–1698). They accused the Marians of lacking papal approval and argued that the Congregation’s eremitic and seemingly unproductive structure should be dissolved. Both monasteries within the diocese of Poznań were utterly dependent on the bishop, who initially leaned towards the proposed resolution.100 Internal conflicts within the Order further exacerbated the situation. Many of his fellow Marians, witnessing the mounting difficulties, began to leave the Order in increasing numbers. Despite the prohibition, confessors often granted them dispensations from their simple vows. Faced with these significant challenges, Fr. Papczyński began to doubt whether his actions aligned with God’s will. He wondered if these troubles were a sign that God did not wish for the continued existence of the Marians. To dispel this uncertainty, he wrote a humble letter to the Superior General of the Piarists, asking for a sincere response as to whether he should continue with the Congregation he had founded or seek a return to the Piarist order.101 We do not have information about the specific response of the Superior General. Still, it seems reasonable to assert that the General advised him to stay in his position and lead the Congregation out of its current crisis. One can also infer from Fr. Stanislaus’ attitude and commitment to further legislative work that he vigorously sought various ways to overcome the problem. Since he was aware of the content of Bishop Wierzbowski’s will, in which the bishop entrusted his family with the care of the Marians, Fr. Stanislaus, at this critical moment, sought the protection of the Wierzbowski family. Three important family members arrived in Góra, and on October 26, 1688, they issued an unambiguous statement in which they accepted the Marians under their protection, speaking very highly of them and warning the enemies of the Marians against causing them harm. “We accept this saintly Congregation, as begun with our House, under ours and our entire House’s eternal protection. We promise to cover and support it with our founding grace [...]. We pledge to God to defend this Congregation and stand by its side; God 100 S. Sydry, O Stanisław, p. 208. This deposition was made by witnesses in the beatification process. See: Leporini, P. 40; Positio, Papczyński, pp. 430-431. 101 S. Papczyński, Letter to Father Alexis Armini, SP, Superior General of the Order of Pious Schools, from New Jerusalem on March 23, 1688, in: Selected Writings, p. 915.
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