St Stan Illustrated Story

79 D uring his stay at the karski court at Lubocz, Fr. Stanislaus had frequently visited the miraculous shrine of Our Lady at Studzianna, barely four miles away. When he moved to the Hermitage in the korabiew Forest, which was about 27 miles from Studzianna, he naturally had to limit these visits to the shrine to the greater feasts of Our Lady.At that time, the miraculous picture was under the care of the Oratorians who had taken up residence at Stuzianna in 1673. While at the hermitage, Fr. Papczynski fell seriously ill and asked to be taken to Studzianna. On his arrival, he first made his confession to the Superior of the Monastery. Then after celebrating Mass before the mirac- ulous picture, he went to the cell assigned to him to take a short rest. There, according to tradition, he fell into an ecstasy during which, in spirit, he visited purgatory and shared the suffering of the departed souls. When those sent to summon him to dinner found him motionless and apparently lifeless, they thought he was dead and were greatly grieved. They even began to wonder what arrangements ought to be made for his funeral. The Superior was hastily summoned. He took one glance at the seemingly lifeless Fr. Stanislaus and said quietly to the community standing around: “Leave him alone; he is not dead; I know where he is.” Soon afterwards, to the amazement of all, Fr. Stanislaus came to himself – back to life, as it were. Without taking any refreshment, he immediately began his return journey to the her- mitage. To those who met him upon his return, he simply said: “Pray, brethren, for the souls in purgatory, for they suffer unbearably.” Then he locked himself in his cell, where he prayed and scourged himself for the “relief of the souls in purgatory.”