Ad Honorem Immaculatae Conceptionis Mariae Oblatio

164 Congregation, we should perhaps clarify this statement. Father Stanislaus did not change his original vocation. What changed was the manner and place of its implementation. The original vocation to the consecrated life remained intact. The bonds linking Father Stanislaus to God (maybe also with the community of consecrated persons), and described by him as “in- dissoluble” (FDR, No. 2, p. 62), remained alive. The bonds of institutional affiliation to the previous community were dissolved by the Pope’s decision (see FDR, No. 2, p. 62). It is difficult to determine what legal comments were made in regard to the transition of a religious from one institute to another or to his departure in order to found a new community. Probably, the teachings of St. Thomas Aquinas were applied. Perhaps today’s legal interpretation of such a situation, however, reflects the ecclesiastic spirit that has been present for a long time. One of the comments on Canon Law regarding religious orders reads: Considering the vocation to a given institute and the truth about its charismatic origin and character, one could think that a professed member should not transfer from one order to another [...]. However, objective reasons justifying or even recommending this transition may come into play, especially because the transferee does not aban- don the state of the evangelical counsels nor compromise his conse- cration. Therefore, the possibility of transfer – especially to institutes of more rigorous discipline – has a centuries-long recognition. 14 Further analyzing the reasons for a transfer, the author of the above work states: “These kinds of reasons may have a basis in a desire for [at- taining] a greater perfection in an institute of a more rigorous way of life (as per St. Thomas), the intention to overcome difficulties created by ei- ther superiors or members of the original institute.” 15 As we know, Fr. Pap- czyński’s departure and the founding a new congregation did not free him from doubts, fears, and questions. In his letter to the Superior General of the Piarists of 1688 or 18 years after making his Oblatio , our holy Father Founder expressed his readiness to return to that Order and asked for ad- vice and a confirmation (or a disproof ) of his early decisions (see Letter to 14 F. Bogdan SAC, Prawo zakonów, instytutów świeckich i stowarzyszeń życia apostolskiego , Pallottinum 1988, p. 319. 15 Ibid., p. 320; also cf. Apology , in Historical Writings ..., pp. 31-60.