The Renewal of the Order redone 2018

The Renewal of the Marian Order in 1909-1910 58 N O . 13. R EQUEST BY G ENERAL W. S EKOWSKI TO P IUS X TO PRESERVE THE EXISTENCE OF THE M ARIANS IN AN EXTRAORDINARY MANNER , AND A POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR R EV . J. M ATULEWICZ TO HANDLE MATTERS RELATED TO THE FURTHER EXISTENCE OF THE O RDER Mariampole, July 20, 1909 Holy Father, In the Russian Empire, the State government has abolished all orders and monastic communities. The Congregation of Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception, approved by Pope Pius VI on the 17th of November, 1786, also has been unable to accept novices since 1864. Thusly, from all of us Marian priests that have ever existed, only I remain. All the others have already died. Since I am also already of advanced age and I do not enjoy good health, it may so happen that soon, after I die, the Congregation will be completely extinguished unless its further existence is provided for in some extraordinary manner with the consent of the Holy See. Since everybody believes that certain foci of monastic life are nec- essary in our hearts and at the same time there are candidates who for a long time have desired to join our Congregation, having conscien- tiously considered all this, we have arrived at the conclusion that — if no other solution can be found because of the government bans — the Congregation of Marian Fathers should be allowed by consent of the Holy See to conduct its life without any external tokens of our vocation. Therefore, I implore that the Holy See, considering the impediments to monastic life that exist here, exempt us from wearing the monastic robe. I also humbly implore that I may, immediately and without imped- iment, allow the Reverend Jerzy Matulewicz, Doctor of Theology, Professor of Dogmatic Theology and Sociology in the Theological Academy in St. Petersburg, whom I have known very well for many years as a priest of fiery zeal, exemplary conduct, and sincere com- mitment to the Holy See, who is knowledgeable of the laws and