The Renewal of the Order redone 2018

17 Introduction On the same day, July 28, he went to see the Cardinal. This audi- ence was the most important event of the whole sojourn of Rev. Matulewicz in Rome, because it determined the further existence of the Marian Order as well as the shape of its reform. From the first moment, the Cardinal received Rev. Matulewicz not only kindly and with good will, but also with great warmth. He listened carefully to what was being told to him, and to the timid suggestions of changes he added more of his own. The Cardinal praised his desire to preserve the Congregation and emphasized that even the single surviving monk is entitled to live the monastic life. When Rev. Matulewicz mentioned the matter of robes, the Cardinal said: “Why should you wear robes? Dress like all priests do.” He promised to allow Rev. Matulewicz to submit his profession without serving his novitiate. He advised that a novitiate be opened in a large city where it would be easier to hide. Finally, he asked Rev. Matulewicz if he knew the Standards of 1901 of the Congregation of the Religious, with which monastic constitutions should comply. When Rev. Matulewicz answered in the affirmative, the Cardinal expressed his view that the old Marian Rule was no longer appropriate, that the Rule should be adapted to current needs and he gave the following advice: “You will do best to compose it all according to the Standards. You may save the old Rule as a keepsake, but the most important things are the con- stitutions.” He also encouraged him to preserve communal life despite the necessity to hide, “because without it there is no monastery.” He was also talking about other matters “some of which he almost took out of my mouth” — Blessed Jerzy wrote later. 43 Leaving Warsaw, Rev. Matulewicz intended only to find out what, where, and how to proceed in the future. But the Prefect of the Congregation advised him at the end of their conversation that being authorized by the General, he should right here in Rome prepare a petition with a listing of all the discussed issues and asking for their resolution, and then have the letter delivered to Undersecretary 43 Ibid., and Document 15.