Ad Honorem Immaculatae Conceptionis Mariae Oblatio

95 related to a return to the roots, thus an analysis of the religious experience of our Founder, made from the perspective of today’s understanding, may be considered as fully acceptable. However, it must be treated as a dialogue with our Father Founder rather than some kind of critical assessment. The choice of the topic dictates taking the founding writings of St. Stanislaus as the essential source, while his works of an ascetic and pastoral character should be placed in the background. Oblatio Father Stanislaus’s offering of himself or the act of religious consecration is addressed to God the Almighty Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as well as to the Mother of God, the ever-Virgin Mary Immaculately Conceived. However, it opens with a Christological and Passion pream- ble: “In the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ Crucified. Amen.” 5 This pre- amble cannot be viewed as some sort of a “heading,” generally accepted and added to this kind of formula. The text of the Oblatio was born out of a “Divine inspiration,” and it was thoroughly thought through and prayed over. Therefore, we must recognize that the first sentence of his Oblatio expresses a feature of religious consecration which was very important to our holy Father Founder. This statement becomes even more legitimate if we consider the entirety of St. Stanislaus Papczyński’s written works, the majority of which constitute Christological and Passion works. However, we must note that the formula of the religious profession proposed for the Marians in the Rule of Life does not start with the above “preamble.” 6 Norma vitae The Norma vitae (The Rule of Life) is essentially a legal document that sets out for the Order the basic principles of its functioning. In its theolog- ical perspective, the document is often addressed to God, and references to Christ are few. The Christological and Passion aspect is most clearly visible in the chapter concerning the evangelical counsels. An excerpt speaking about obedience is worth recalling here: “You should assume the motive and example of obedience of our Redeemer Himself, who ‘humbled Him- self, being made obedient unto death, even death on the Cross’ (Phil 2: 8),” 7 and also about poverty: 5 Oblatio , in: Historical Writings of Blessed Stanislaus Papczyński , Stockbridge, 2007, p. 27. 6 The Rule of Life , I, 6, p. 13 (padrimariani.org/Resources/MIC_Library) . 7 Ibid., III, 1, p. 16.