Spirituality of the Religious Life According to St. Stanislaus Papczyński 38 life of Fr. Papczyński.25 Actually, this conviction was expressed by all the Marians throughout history, which may be seen clearly in the official documents of the Institute’s early tradition. The protocols of the first Marian monasteries in Puszcza Mariańska, the Cenacle of the Lord (Góra Kalwaria), and Goźlin – as well as other monasteries which were subsequently founded – contain the same idea of God’s presence in all creatures and in the events under His protection.26 This is, in a way, a continuation of the same interpretation of Divine Providence as the “merciful, wise, and miraculous love” of God that Fr. Papczyński expressed in his writings related to the Order, such as the Norma vitae. It is there that the Founder includes – along with instructions to his spiritual sons – his reflections on the mystery of God’s Providence, which means to “acknowledge, worship, and bless God present everywhere” and ruling the world, because He is present “in all creatures, and not only in yourselves, since we live and move and exist in Him (Acts 17:28).”27 As the Marian Founder states, this lifestyle makes sure that the mystery of God and His Providence “will never fade from the consciousness” of a religious. The concept of Divine Providence, present in Fr. Papczyński’s writings and his experience of faith, as well as in the early tradition of the Marians, corresponds with the situation of the Republic of Poland at that time. There was then a general interest for this mystery of faith manifested not only among the theologians, but also among the general public. External events 25 Cf. C. Wyszyński, Żywot Czcigodnego Sługi Bożego Ojca Stanisława od Jezusa i Maryi Papczyńskiego, in: Stróż duchowego dziedzictwa marianów. Wybór pism o. Kazimierza Wyszyńskiego, translated and edited by Z. Proczek, Warszawa- Stockbridge, 2004, p. 75; S. Sydry, Czcigodny Sługa Boży o. Stanisław od JezusaMaryi Papczyński i jego dzieło w świetle dokumentów, Warszawa, 1037, p. 205; T. Rogalewski, Stanisław Papczyński (1631-1701). Założyciel Zgromadzenia Księży Marianów. Inspirator mariańskiej szkoły duchowości, Lublin, Warszawa 2001, pp. 266-268. 26 In this aspect, the ProtocollumBalsamanensis is very characteristic where we read: “Divine Providence, which expands from end to end and rules with sweetness and whose ways are not our ways, deigned to have spread this tiny little Marian flock dedicated to the most beloved and immaculate Mother not only within borders of the Kingdom of Poland alone – where her cradle is – but all over the earth.” ProtocollumOrdinis Mariani Immaculatae Conceptionis B.V. Mariae […] conscriptum a P. Fr. Alexio de Octaviano Fisher […] Anno Domini 1758 (manuscript AMG). 27 NV, V, 1.
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