historical writings 926 11. The First Testament Testamentum Primum New Jerusalem — December 9, 1692 Introduction According to the information provided by Fr. Wyszyński,315 Fr. Papczyński, after returning from Rome in 1692, fell ill so seriously that he was convinced the sickness would lead to his death. He, therefore, wrote this spiritual testament, intended mainly for the members of his Congregation. His conviction was not fulfilled because he recovered his health (it is not known exactly when). So, he sealed the testament and wrote that it should not be opened until his death. This testament is called the “first” because later (1699/1701), Fr. Papczyński wrote another testament.316 In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 1. I, an unworthy priest and the greatest of sinners, Stanislaus of Jesus and Mary, daily awaiting the day of my death, which is for all uncertain as to its timing, am ready to accept, with humble thanksgiving, [the day of death] as appointed by the Lord of life and death. Because I am deprived of my own will through the vow of obedience, I cannot arrange a will,317 so I will proceed by making this public declaration before the most Gracious and Most Holy Trinity, the Most Elect Virgin, and the entire Heavenly Court, as well as all of creation. 315 Cf. VW, § 85. 316 Cf. below, HW, pp. 929-931, n. 12. 317 Father Papczyński means a will in the ordinary sense of the word, i.e., which disposed of the material things he had. He could not make such a will since he had no possession of any material things, being an “Eremita primi generis” (hermit of the first class), according to the document of the Second Erection. Cf. Positio, p. 424, § 7; p. 487, n. 1.
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