The Immaculist Character of Spirituality 173 presentation of Papczyński’s biography; without negating its truthfulness, it goes to prove Stanislaus Papczyński’s sanctity in his attitude toward Mary. Only a person bonded from the first moment of existence with the Immaculately Conceived Mother of God is capable of a fervent and total dedication to spreading Our Lady’s honor and defending her privilege.The first two biographers of Papczyński – Leporini and C. Wyszyński37 (50 years later) – described the many miraculous events related to Our Lady’s protection that occurred in Stanislaus’ childhood: a safe crossing of the Dunajec River by his mother while still carrying himinherwomb; theextraordinary intellectual abilitiesbestowed on him at the time of his great – and seemingly unconquerable – learning difficulties; the special graces that he received in prayers, healings, etc. The accumulation of extraordinary things that may seem today as a wishful interpretation and artificial quest for proofs of holiness in the manner of medieval hagiography, has its own logic in the way of thinking and explaining current events. Someone who is an extraordinary person today could not possibly be an ordinary child and youth. But certainly, the basic thesis is an attempt to demonstrate that the Founder of the Marians was a special venerator of the Immaculately Conceived Mother of God; he followed the example of her life, experienced her special maternal care, and entrusted himself to her motherly Love.38 His companions and spiritual sons ought to act similarly and to learn not only to recognize Mary’s motherly presence in their lives but also to seek her protection and imitate her virtues. This kind of Marian spirituality was reflected by the early tradition of the Congregation of Marian Fathers in a somewhat 37 Cf. C. Wyszyński, op. cit., pp. 49-167. 38 Cf. A. Pakuła, Niepokalana w życiu i pismach Sługi Bożego o. Stanisława Papczyńskiego, założyciela Zgromadzenia Księży Marianów Niepokalanego Poczęcia NMP, in: Tota pulchra es Maria..., pp. 381-382. The Servant of God Casimir Wyszyński thus summed up Stanislaus Papczyński’s special relationship to the Immaculate Mother of Our Lord: “He venerated the Mother of God in daily pious practices and with filial trust, he appealed to her, as to a Mother. He received numerous graces through her intercession and experienced her miraculous protection. It is not by doctors’ skill, but by Divine grace received through the continuous intercession of Mary that he was delivered from serious illnesses and great dangers,” C. Wyszyński, op. cit., p. 56.
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