903 the foundation of the house of recollection kow, Nicholas Oborski,225 a quite prudent man, who was already quite inclined to granting me help in the foundation of a new Congregation, but who later changed his opinion, for which reason I do not know) permission to wear the white habit. I already was to be dressed in it by a certain domestic episcopal prelate in the palace of this same bishop, where I was, at that time, protected for reasons of security226 during the very Octave of the Immaculate Conception.227 6. But by divine dispensation, it happened that this matter was brought to nothing.228 I was summoned to Warsaw by my special protector, the Most Distinguished Lord, John Gembicki, at that time, bishop of Płock (later, of Krakow).229 Now he offered me the dignity of being a canon in the Płock Cathedral. I did not accept this on account of love for God and for promoting the glory of His Mother. Although — by doing this — I caused my protector to be gravely offended, for he greatly desired to have me — distinguished by this dignity — be joined to his closest associates.230 Nor was there a lack of venerable religious orders who invited me to their company.231 Of course, I was unwilling, as I desired greater 225 Bishop Nicholas Oborski (d. 1689), suffragan of Krakow from 1658-1689. 226 Father Papczyński took refuge in the Bishop’s Palace to protect himself from being imprisoned again in Podoliniec. Cf. Positio, pp. 184-186 (Doc. VI, D, intr.; Doc. VI, D, 1). 227 In the Latin text the word solemnia is used, which should not be understood here in the sense of the day of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception itself (December 8). This term here means the octave of this feast (December 8-15). With the consent of the Holy See, this feast was celebrated with an octave in many places at that time. Cf. Positio, pp. 192-193, n. 6. 228 It is not known what the obstacle to wearing the white habit was. Cf. Positio, p. 217 (Doc. VII, A, 1). 229 This information is partially incorrect: Bishop John Gembicki, the ordinary in Płock since 1655, was in 1674 appointed an ordinary not in Krakow but in Kujawy (Włocłowek). Cf. Positio, pp. 194-201 (Doc. VI, E, 1); cf. Pisma Zebrane p. 1198, n. 1. 230 Cf. Positio, p. 494 (Doc. XII, 5); p. 640 (Doc. XVII, § 34). 231 We do not have any documentary evidence of such invitations, and they were probably made orally. However, in light of Fr. Papczyński’s words here, there is no reason to believe claims (all of which lack documentary evidence) that have been made saying that Fr. Papczyński sought admission to other religious communities after leaving the Piarists. Cf. SH, p. 82, n. 37.
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