129 tirelessly discovering the inspirations fl owing from the founding charism. If we wish to follow this path, we must remember our Founder’s achievements, his initiatives and actions, as well as bear in mind the whole of the historic context in which he lived and worked. Only then we can compare it to our modern times and to ask ourselves: What would he do today, how would he react to the challenges of our days?4 Since every charism is always raised up by the Holy Spirit in order to respond to the concrete needs of the Church and of the People of God, our apostolic work must be rooted in the experience of our charism, which grounds it and gives it its true sense. It is impossible to understand apostolic activity apart from the mystical experience from which it took its roots. Amadeo Cencini speaks about it in this way: “The pastoral work of a given congregation is so closely united to a particular way of being, thinking, praying and living, that it becomes nearly always the criterion for evaluating its members’ faithfulness to the original charismatic inspiration.”5 The fi rst and foremost foundation of our mission in the Church is to be found in the life of our Father Founder, in his works and endeavors. We see his great commitment to various apostolic works for which he merited the title, the “Apostle of Mazovia.”6 These facts speak clearly of his dedication to seeking the will of God and saving souls. Moreover, aside from deepening our knowledge of the facts about our Founder and his teachings in the context of the apostolic commitment of the fi rst Marians, it becomes necessary to discern the reasons behind Fr. Stanislaus’ personal commitment to various apostolic works and his desire that his confreres serve the Church by assisting the pastors. The most important matter is not what Father Founder personally accomplished, but rather, what his intentions were. The most important thing is not the letter, but its spirit.7 Faithfulness to the charism demands creativeness and constant openness to the breath of the Holy Spirit who works in the Church untiringly. We all know that Fr. Papczyński’s fi rst concept was a community which, while preserving perfect religious discipline, would be ready to carry out pastoral ministry. We also know that initially it was made impossible by various obstacles which he met in the process of the realization of this goal. The reality forced Fr. Papczyński to accept the eremitic way of life. Nevertheless, in his Norma vitae, our Founder left us instructions as to our commitment to pastoral 4 Cf. A. Pina Ribeiro, Teologia da Vida Consagrada, Ed. Paulista, SP. 5 Cf. A. Cencini, Amaras o Senhor Teu Deus, Ed. Paulinas, S.P, 1989. p. 62. 6 W. Makoś, MIC, Frei Estanislau de Jesus Maria Papczyński..., quoted work. 7 Cf. PC, 2.
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