The Renewal of the Order redone 2018

33 Introduction showed great compassion.” Rev. Matulewicz asked his advice on numerous matters concerning the reconstructed Marian community. 109 Conversations with Prelate Adam Sapieha, who was already preparing himself to take the Krakow See, had a quite different char- acter. After a few meetings, the Prelate proposed to him that he take his place in the Roman Curia as a source for information about mat- ters of the Church under Russian rule and even under that of Austria and Prussia. He also proposed to move the Marian novitiate to Rome. Rev. Matulewicz rejected the propositions of Prelate Sapieha. 110 That was another test and trial of what the Marian Congregation meant to him. In some ways, the activity of Jozef Pietrzak (1882-1954) and his followers is related to the Renewal of the Congregation of Marian Fathers. Pietrzak maintained that he had been enrolled in the Marian Order in 1913, together with his two comrades, by Father Bernard Pielasinski (May 28, 1832-April 14, 1914), a Marian who after the abolition had left the Mariampole monastery and took residence as the chaplain in the asylum for the elderly in Gora Kalwaria near Warsaw. The Marians from Mariampole believed that Father Pielasinski and other fathers who lived outside of the monastic community did not enjoy full monastic rights. This belief was emphasized many times by Father General Sekowski who stated that he was the only Marian. 111 The General knew exactly who belonged to his community. Similar statements were made by the Administrator of the Sejny diocese, Rev. Josef Antonowicz, in whose care the Marians within his diocese 109 Ibid., pp. 140-142, 150. 110 Ibid., pp. 146-151. 111 On August 31, 1907, Rev. Maciej Gillis, Rev. Andrzej Jurewicz, and Rev. Wincenty Sekowski wrote to the Administrator of the Sejny diocese, Jozef Antonowicz: “[...] the three of us who remain out of the entire Congregation of the Marian Priests [...]” (Totoraitis, p. 52); W. Sekowski to J. Matulewicz: “Is there even a spark of hope left or should I let go and prepare two coffins, one for myself and one for the Order?” (see Document 9); W. Sekowski to Pius X, July 20, 1909: “This way, from all of us Marian priests that have ever existed, only I remain. All the others have already died.” (See Document 13).