Ad Honorem Immaculatae Conceptionis Mariae Oblatio

117 It is worth emphasizing Saint Stanislaus Papczyński’s statement that he intends to serve “chastely and zealously. 19 ” This was not only his desire, but also a program for his life, as it were, as well as a pointer for future members of the community. Reading both testaments, one may conclude that Fr. Stanislaus was endeavoring to do just so. One might wonder what Father Papczyński meant when speaking about chastity. Although this sub- ject can be discussed, in the light of both testaments, it seems right to say that it is about having a right intention. It is also obvious that our holy Father Founder’s service is a model for the contemporary superiors of the Congregation. The aforementioned document of the Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life de- votes a great deal of attention to the fact that being a superior at all levels always mean selfless service to the community, assistance in seeking God’s will, but not the fulfillment of personal ambitions 20 . Contemporary Marian legislation confirms the Founder’s intuition on the subject, presenting the role of the superiors in the Congregation as follows: The Superiors, who will have to render an account for the souls en- trusted to them, should first try to understand well and have a love for the will of God, which they are to reveal to others in a spirit of brotherly service, as it relates both to the entire Congregation and to each one of the members over whom they preside. 21 Moreover, the Constitutions also stipulate that – following the example of our holy Father Founder – every Marian, regardless of his office or sta- tus within the community, must show respect for the pope and the local bishop and – as the text of the Oblatio indicates – “reasonably understood obedience”, not a blind and passive one. 22 19 Oblation , in: Historical Writings of Blessed Stanislaus Papczyński , Stockbridge, 2007, p. 28. 20 In 2008, I discussed this topic in Master’s thesis: Dmitrijs Artjomovs, Władza zakonna w świetle Instrukcji Życie braterskie we wspólnocie „Congregavit nos in unum Christi Amor” , Lublin (mps), 2008, to which I now refer. 21 Constitutions of the Marian Fathers , op. cit., art. 63, p. 94. 22 Oblation , in: Historical Writings of Blessed Stanislaus Papczyński , Stockbridge, 2007, p. 30.