Ad Honorem Immaculatae Conceptionis Mariae Oblatio

193 the person of Father Founder who is at the source of the Marian Congrega- tion. So, I try to understand the character and charism of Marian Fathers by means of a reading more books written by Father Founder and other books about him. There are two books which touch me most: “Norma vi- tae” of Saint Stanislaus Papczynski and “God’s Mighty Champion” which describes clearly the person and the life of Father Stanislaus. We have stud- ied these books together with Father Novice Master. After reading them I see Father Founder in the different way. He is not any more a person from the past who lived around 350 years ago. He is not for me a stranger as I felt at the beginning and his name is not any more difficult to read and to remember. Now, he is a living person for me, always present in my life and my heart as my spiritual Father. This spiritual Father accompanies me on the way to follow Jesus Christ in the Marian Congregation. He teaches me how to accept the difficulties and hardships in the name of Jesus Christ and how to be faithful to my vocation as he was faithful to his own vocation to found the new Congregation which God imprinted in his heart. Fur- thermore, this spiritual Father shows me how to love God, Blessed Virgin Mary and neighbor. Finally, Father Founder is for me an example of a true Christian, a disciple of God, a warrior of Blessed Virgin Mary and a Marian whom I also would like to become. After all, Father founder is the model for my life. It does not make sense for me to be in the Congregation without knowing and loving Father Founder. Therefore, I must keep him in my heart and never forget. If I ever forget him it would mean that I have lost the special gift of God. John Baptist Nguyễn Văn Biên MIC