The Renewal of the Order redone 2018

The Renewal of the Marian Order in 1909-1910 14 by risking the monastic life hidden from the czarist authorities. In early July of 1909, they went to Mariampole and discussed the entire matter with Fr. General Sekowski. They were encouraged to take this step by the numerous secret female monastic families organized by Fr. Honorat Kozminski, with which they collaborated. As can be surmised by the letter from Fr. Sekowski to the Pope of July 20, 1909, the emphasis was on protecting the existence of the Congregation, so as to be able to live the monastic lifestyle without any external emblems and to allow Rev. Matulewicz to make his vows without going through a novitiate. 26 For all participants in the meeting, much remained unclear in this matter. This is why they decided to send Rev. Matulewicz to Rome if only he could manage to go during the summer vacation and “if it is so advised in Warsaw.” 27 They meant the Suffragan Bishop of Warsaw. He was a native of the Mariampole area and a good friend of Fr. Sekowski and Rev. Matulewicz as well as of the Marian monastery. At the same time he was responsible for monastic orders in the Warsaw archdiocese. 28 He was thus a person by all means trustworthy and competent. Rev. Matulewicz probably went to see the Bishop on July 12. Their con- versation was long and comprehensive. Bishop Ruszkiewicz grasped the matter with understanding and benevolence. He expressed certain reservations, gave advice and assistance. 29 The Marians were an Order approved by the Holy See with their own Rule and constitutions. As the Bishop noted, a “different lifestyle” was proposed, requiring changes in the constitutions which could only be made by the Holy 26 See Document 13. 27 LVA, set 1674, inv. 2, vol. 59, p. 1, letter of Fr. Buczys to J. Matulewicz, July 14, 1909. 28 Ruszkiewicz, Kazimierz (1836-1925), born in Dzieciolowka near Mariampole. In 1883 he became the suffragan of Warsaw. In 1883-1925 he was the parson of the Holy Cross parish in Warsaw. Because of the ill health of Archbishop Wincenty Popiel (who was losing his sight and memory), from 1905 he was gradually taking over the government of the archdiocese as its Vicar General (PSB, XXXIII, pp. 285-286). 29 LVA, set 1674, inv. 2, vol. 99, p. 1, letter of Fr. Buczys to J. Matulewicz, July 13, 1909.