Ad Honorem Immaculatae Conceptionis Mariae Oblatio

52 two founders (S. Papczyński and G. Matulewicz). These were naturally re- solved through the festive events since the jubilee carried a vision of the Congregation as one family, marching forth through the centuries, while experiencing various transformations and reforms. The Superior General’s Circular Letter for the celebrations included the explanation for holding the event precisely in 1973. Firstly, the General stat- ed that we did not know the exact time when the idea of founding the Con- gregation of Marians had formed in Fr. Papczyński’s heart, and clarified the meaning of the Oblatio , without using the word itself. “One thing is certain: on December 11, 1670, or the day on which he [Fr. Papczyński] obtained the previously requested permission to leave the Piarists, he also clearly and solemnly affirmed his intent to found the ‘Society of the Immaculate Conception’ in which he pledged to persevere until death and to make his religious vows there.” 40 Thus, in the General’s opinion, the Oblation was not religious vows, but a pledge to make them in the future, and a clear and sol- emn declaration of the intent to found the Congregation. Unfortunately, he did not say when the Founder had fulfilled his pledge and made the vows. On the other hand, the General provided quite a detailed explanation for the date of holding the celebrations: In his visitation decree of Oct. 24, 1673, Bishop Święcicki gave approval to Fr. Stanislaus’s Institute, appointed him the Hermitage Superior with full right to govern the arriving pilgrims according to the Norma vitae and the Statutes, which the Bishop himself imposed on the Hermitage. These Statutes or ordinances issued by Bishop Święcicki represent the first official document thanks to which the Socie- ty of the Immaculate Conception founded by Father Stanislaus obtained Church approval. This decree recognized as the cradle of the Congregation “the oratory of the BVM Immaculate Conception in Puszcza Korabiewska and the Retreat House under the same invocation,” inhabited by the first Marians, who remained under the jurisdiction of the local Ordinary. For this reason, the day of Oct. 24, 1673, is accepted as the date of origin of our Congregation, and on this very day, we shall celebrate our 300 th Anni- versary. 41 Thus, the author of that letter upholds the precise legal opinion that the most essential element for the origin of the Congregation was the issuance of the first official document by a competent Church authority. And the post-visitation decree of Bishop Święcicki of Oct. 24, 1673, was 40 J. Sielski, List okólny przełożonego generalnego na 8 XII 1972 r. , in “Immaculata” 9(1972) No 12, p. XXIX. 41 Ibid, p. XXIX nn.