15 pisma zebrane FOREWORD The release of the St. Stanislaus Papczyński: Selected Writings in English is an excellent way to celebrate the 350th Jubilee of the religious community he founded: the Congregation of Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception. The author of these writings was an educated Pole, an expert in his native language, yet most of his written works — in fact, all of his surviving works — were written in Latin. This was because —firstly — as a man of the Church, a professor of rhetoric and the author of one of the most important books in that field (Prodromus Reginae Artium, a textbook on rhetoric, which was reprinted during his lifetime as many as four times), he wrote in the language of the Church, that is, in Latin. Secondly, although in following his directives the religious community he founded had to conduct the work of evangelization and catechesis among the poor and simple people, he realized that cultures were shaped by the upper classes, which used Latin, the language then accepted by all circles of power both ecclesial and secular, as well as by the intelligentsia and commercial classes. English has undoubtedly become such a language in our day. Thus, the release of St. Stanislaus of Jesus and Mary’s writings in English is a fitting effort in fulfilling our Founder’s desire to reach, with the Gospel and Catholic doctrine, all spheres of public life, especially those that may influence the lives of other people. The author of the works included in the present publication lived some centuries ago, so someone may question the logic of publishing these works today. This question is relevant inasmuch as it leads to an answer that gives us an immediate understanding of these writings’ timeless value for the Church and human patrimony. First of all, regardless of when a particular person lived, human life itself carries a lasting value. Children perfectly and spontaneously understand this after the death of a parent. And
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