Servant of Mary new file

difficult period in the history of Poland. King Augustus II drew the country into the confusion of the “Northern War” ]1701-1709\. The Swedish, Saxon, and Russian troops were crossing the Polish territories killing people and loot- ing their possessions. The extent of the devastation was even greater because of the civil war going on between the supporters of Augustus II and Stanislaus Leszcy<ski, and because of an epidemic ravaging the country at that time which significantly decreased the Polish population. In 1702, the Swedish army led by King Charles XII invaded the territories of the Polish Republic, introduced their own rule, and plundered the country. When the Swedish troops reached Mazovia, the Wyszy<ski family had to run away and seek shelter at their relatives’ who lived in other regions of the country. The Wyszy<skis’ eldest son, Anthony, joined the army fighting against the invaders, and the family feared reprisals. It was only around 1708 that the Wyszy<skis could return to their estate and rebuild the destroyed buildings. The most important matter was the proper upbringing and education of the children. Therefore, the Wyszy<skis sent their youngest boys, John and Francis, to a school run by the Piarists in G[ra Kalwaria. The small distance ]about 40 kilometers\ between the school and the family home allowed the parents to inquire very frequently as to the boys’ progress in their studies. The relations between the Wyszy<ski family and the Piarists were certainly close and cordial as Mrs. Wyszy<ski’s three brothers were 9 THE SERVANT OF MARY IMMACULATE