Spirituality of the Religious Life According to St. Stanislaus Papczyński 180 have obtained obedience, believe that you have obtained all the virtues. Do you ask for the reason? Obedience is the mother of all the virtues.”53 Mary’s exemplary behavior in response to God’s actions towards her and related spiritual experiences also fits into the scope of life with God. Papczyński points out the need to “first consider, in order to discern” (prius expendit, ut agnoscat) any given spiritual phenomenon after the manner of the Mother of God and indicates Mary as a sure model of behavior. For this is exactly the way Mary acted during the Annunciation: “the Most Blessed Virgin does not immediately assent to the angelic salutation, but considers it first to discern whether that vision is heavenly and good or rather an infernal temptation and evil deception.” Since Papczyński is fully convinced that God similarly acts towards men and their attitudes, he concludes his meditation thus: “For this reason, you should similarly take note of all internal inspirations and prior to putting them into action, consider whether they truly come from God. Since the Most Blessed Virgin was not unaware of the fact that the angel of darkness quite often takes on the guise of an angel of light, she realized that she should not immediately believe that messenger, lest she be either deceived or act heedlessly in matters of great importance. Therefore, think first before carrying out any suggestions. Test the spirits, whether they are from God, and do not readily follow an internal command, minding the countless examples of those who were thus deceived.”54 Saint Stanislaus’ written works – particularly his Inspectio cordis – supply many such examples of God’s actions towards men and the latter’s correct response, and they show Mary as a model of behavior and life with God.55 At the same time, the actions of Mary in relation to man and her related virtues of a social or community-creating character are strongly emphasized. 53 IC, Feast of the Birth of the BVM, BHC, pt. 2; also see: A. Pakuła, Niepokalana w życiu i pismach..., p. 390. 54 IC, Feast of the Annunciation of the BVM, BHC, pt. 3. 55 Cf. T. Rogalewski, Teologiczne podstawy życia..., pp. 130-134; same author, Koncepcja życia chrześcijańskiego..., pp. 43-53.
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