Ad Honorem Immaculatae Conceptionis Mariae Oblatio

22 first to admit some Companion, and then, having a place, to arrange the matter by the Roman authority. 11. Consequently, it came to my mind that about four miles from my place of residence there is a certain Hermit. It seemed good to explore whether he would feel inclined to be my companion according to my plan. I went to the Hermitage, and when I explained it candidly and frankly to him, he whole-heartedly seized the matter, offered his place and himself to me, and induced the other, his companion, to the same way of thinking; he seemed to desire it so fervently and to put it into action, that he both invited me to the Hermitage by letters rather often, and he approached me rather frequently, asking and exhorting, that I be willing to be their Supe- rior, that I be willing to found at that place the new Society, and showing himself most ready to embrace the laws, yes indeed even the most strict, which I offered to him for examination. 12. And indeed, at the beginning, I was very inclined toward seizing this occasion of managing my matter; but many things were holding me back, among other things, the independence of the man unacquainted with obeying, his desire to attribute to himself, I know not what, the title of a Founder, a changeable spirit, an erratic fame, a fiery nature, severity, cunning, obstinacy, incompetence for everything, let these be said without defamation. 13. What was I to do? I would implore God, I did as much as my sins allowed, but from my prayer, I was getting contrary responses, and I was forbidden entirely to enter companionship with that man. Should I consult experienced and learned men? – they were not available. [Finally], one ap- peared from the Order of Saint Francis, who did not advise entirely against it; an other, who at a certain time in the past in Cracow inquired about this Society to be founded by myself, even commanded it: he declared that it is the Divine will that I should undertake this work; he also came down to Studzianna for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, in the very act of Confession, he counseled me, that I should go to the Hermitage and start something with the help of God, and God will complete all the rest. 14. Therefore, I permitted this Hermit to assume the habit of my pattern (which I had accepted by Divine inspiration), and I declared him as my Companion in the Sacred Nunciature, previously however, having accept-