Ad Honorem Immaculatae Conceptionis Mariae Oblatio

51 ified and announced on colorful bulletin boards to the faithful who par- ticipated in the annual events at Marianki in May of 1970. The first, main board proclaimed: “1973 – the Jubilee Year of the 300 th Anniversary of the Congregation of Marian Fathers. The Program of preparations: 1970 – the year of thanksgiving for the gift of the priesthood and the religious live; 1971 – The Congregation of Marians in the Service of the Church; 1972 – Immaculate Mary our Model and our Way; 1973 – Te Deum for the 300 th Anniversary of the Congregation (1673-1973).” 38 In December 1970, around the 300 th Anniversary of the Oblatio , a meet- ing of all of the [Polish] Province local superiors and the Superior General took place, who had just completed the Provincial Visitation. 39 The organ- ization of the 300 th Anniversary events in the Provincial Houses and the entire Congregation was discussed during this meeting, plans were made and tasks assigned. Plans were made for celebrations on a large scale in every parish and religious house, involving the participation of bishops and other guests of honor. This was a great initiative promoting the Marians, in which all of the confreres had to participate along with the lay cow- orkers and the friends of the Congregation. Information was prepared for the faithful, appropriate sermons about the Congregation were delivered, invitations were issued, and presentations of the history and the work of the worldwide Marians were organized in the form of photo expositions or musical/narration programs. Perhaps, the manner of the celebrations was reminiscent of the solemn events on the 1000 th Anniversary of the Baptism of Poland, naturally, with the preservation of proportions. The aim was also similar: the events of the 1000 th Anniversary were planned as a national recollection meant to strengthen in the faithful the idea of their being heirs and continuators of a great and honorable tradition; the Congregation’s Jubilee was to unite the Marians and fortify the entire community through acts of atonement, devotion, and thanksgiving. Active participation in the preparations and the celebrations naturally shaped the Marians’ aware- ness of being part of an old and meritorious religious family, which had inscribed many praiseworthy pages in the history of the Church. In the 1960’s, discussions and disputes about the identity of the Marians were still lively, which resulted in the opinion that the Marians allegedly had 38 Celebrations at Marianki (May 24, 1970 –report of a participant), in: “ Immaculata” 7(1970) No 7-8, 9 nn. 39 W. Nieciecki, List przełożonego prowincji do przełożonych domów zakonnych i duszpas- terzy z 18 XI 1970 r., in: “Immaculata” 7(1970), No 12, pp. II-III.