St Stan Illustrated Story

this message from the beginning, “A man without charity, a religious without charity, is a shadow without the sun, a body without a soul, he is simply a nothing. What the soul is to the body, that is what charity is in the Church, in religious orders and in religious houses.” It is hardly surprising then, that a number of his disciples, amid many hard- ships and crosses, were distinguished by their evangelical perfection. Suffice it to recall the Venerable Servant of God Fr. kazimierz Wyszynski (1700-1755), an ardent promoter of Marian devotion, Blessed Archbishop George Matulaitis-Matlewicz (1871-1927), who carried out a providential renewal and reform of the Congregation of Marian Clerics and was a champion of reconciliation between Poland and Lithuania; the Blessed Martyrs of Rosica (Belarus), George kaszyra (1904-1943) and Anthony Leszczewicz (1890-1943), who freely gave their lives during the Second World War for their faith in Christ and for love of their fellow men. Even in dramatic times of per- secution, the work of Blessed Stanislaus was never eclipsed. Blessed George Matulaitis-Matulewicz gave it a new impulse, bearing witness once again to the fact that Love conquers all. Dear Marian Fathers and Brothers, today this precious spiritual heritage of your Founder is entrusted to you: welcome it and, like him, be tireless heralds everywhere of God’s merciful love, keeping your gaze fixed upon Mary Immaculate, so that in each of you the divine plan may be fulfilled. Dear pilgrims and faithful people, the Church in Poland is cele- brating the elevation to the altars of this chosen son of hers. May the example of his holy life and his heavenly intercession encourage all of you to open your hearts at every moment, trusting in God’s all-pow- erful love. Filled with joy and hope, let us give thanks to God for the gift of the new beatus and let us praise the Lord in the words of the Apostle Paul: “To the king of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen” (1 Tim 1:17). 11