Servant of Mary new file

8. AWAITING THE BEATIFICATION The conditions in which Father Casimir lived and worked were difficult. The period under Saxon rule was one of widespread material, spiritual, and moral degrada- tion. The spiritual emptiness and mediocrity were covered up with the glamour and the lavish lifestyle of the upper classes of the society. To attain their misconceived ideal, the rich did not hesitate to oppress the least fortunate and impose ever heavier burdens upon the peasants. Father Wyszy<ski, witnessing the practices of the times did not give up the fight to change this situation, he never lost hope. In this regard, he reminisced of St. Augustine, who said to those Christians frightened by the collapse of Rome in the year 410 : You are crying that the world is coming to an end, that bad times are coming ! Have you already for- gotten the words of the Savior : “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” We are the times. The times are such as we are. The barbarians will not take away what is guarded by Christ. The Vandals cannot kill our true life. Father Casimir went about his own life with similar faith and courage. If the times are a reflection of the way we are, then we need to grow in goodness and steadfastly follow the chosen path. Therefore, Father Casimir care- fully guarded the faith which he received in his family home. Guided by the spirit of faith, he undertook a pil- grimage to far away Rome which resulted in his becom- Awaiting the Beatification 70