Introduction 25 of this book [meaning, the Constitutions – Fr. Pakuła’s note] includes numerous supplements, the first of which is the Rule of the Ten Virtues. For quite a long time, our Congregation drew its spirit from this Rule, although it was not written by our Founder, the Venerable Servant of God, Father Stanislaus Papczyński. Nevertheless, it preserved his spirit and that of his sons. Notwithstanding the fact that it does not now possess the force of law, it should nevertheless be a delightful spiritual nourishment for our community, so that the 10 virtues beloved by the Blessed Virgin Mary might take shape in us. And just like the Order of St. Benedict venerates their Rule, so we, also, should appreciate and love the Rule of the Ten Virtues.”7 In addition to the aforesaid documents, the fulfillment of the subject of this dissertation will necessitate considering other source materials on the early tradition of the Congregation of Marian Fathers that contain information valuable to the topic at hand. Moreover, it will be advisable to recall something that is very significant in the history of the Marians, the biography of Stanislaus Papczyński written by the Servant of God Casimir Wyszyński and entitled, VitaVenerabilis Servi Dei Patris Stanislai a IesuMaria Qui Congregationem ReligiosorumMarianorum (...) instituit, Composita per Patrem Casimirum Wyszyński (1754) (Positio, pp. 660-717; The Polish text is in: Stróż duchowego dziedzictwamarianów. Wybór pismo. KazimierzaWyszyńskiego, transl. and ed. by Z . Proczek, MIC, Warszawa-Stockbridge 2004, pp. 49-142). Although this work does not belong to the period under discussion, it has a special impact: it is the very first and purposeful interpretation of the Founder’s life and spirituality, as well as of the character of his Institute, and it draws practical conclusions for the Marians’ work. The book has the character of a hagiography. For this paper, we will use a method suitable for researching the theology and history of spirituality, i.e. an analysis of the source documents and the works on the subject and organized 7 F. Bučys, Circular Letter regarding the Constitutions, in: Konstytucje Zgromadzenia Księży Marianówpod wezwaniem Niepokalanego Poczęcia Najświętszej Maryi Panny, Kraków 1933, s. XIV.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjI2Mw==