the rule of life 54 2. [...] the life of Hermits ... is approved in the status of penitents [...]. Hence, they do not need any approval, once they are admitted juridically and canonically by the Ordinary of the place. [...] The one who has embraced this [eremitical] status, especially in some Congregation of Hermits approved at least by a Bishop, and has made the profession [of the vows] in it, may not change this status, unless he has been dispensed by the Roman Pontiff at the request of the Superior of the said Congregation on account of the most just and grave reasons involving harm to the third party. Such declaration was made by the Sacred Penitentiary in 1691 when it was consulted by a certain Superior of this kind of Hermits.6 Such Hermits, once they stay in small monasteries, are not included among those who are prohibited to receive new houses,7 and those who live in a Congregation may have a way of life approved by a Bishop. [...] And nobody can doubt that the same may be ordained with the title of Poverty or Congregation (whichever is more favored in Rome). 3. These things have been prefaced briefly in order to inform those who feel and speak unfavorably about the present Institute, partly because of ignorance, partly due to bad information. If they will look with more a kindly eye into the few chapters that follow, and which are proposed for observance for these Marian Hermits, certainly they will be more benevolent towards them, who seek or desire nothing else besides God and His glory, the honor of the Virgin, the salvation of souls and their own, and to assist the dead. For the rest, although this Congregation is erected in the public status of Hermits, it does not insist so much on solitude as to consider unmeritorious for itself to sometimes engage also in spiritual services for the neighbors — as far as it is 6 Most probably the Preface makes reference here to Fr. Stanislaus himself, who was in Rome in 1691. He wanted to obtain such a declaration from the Holy See, because he hoped that it would help to stop the desertion of members from his Institute, who in increasing number were taking advantage of the opinion of some moralists according to whom any confessor could absolve a religious from simple vows. Cf. Positio, pp. 514–515. 7 Maybe because of the contrary opinion the Marians were not able to accept some foundations offered to them; cf. Positio, pp. 531-532.
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