Saint Stanislaus Papczynski — The Life and Writings

He often changed schools — at first, because of learning diffi- culties, and then because of wars and epidemics. When he was 23, he joined the Piarists, and, upon his ordination, proved to be an outstanding preacher, a master of the spiritual life, a lec- turer in rhetoric, and a writer. When he was more than 40 years of age, he founded the first Polish male Order — the Congre- gation of Marian Fathers, which serves today in Poland and nearly all continents. At the age of 70, Fr. Papczynski died in the odor of sanctity in Góra kalwaria and was buried there. Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski said during the 1964 preparation for celebrations of the Millennium of the Baptism of Poland: “Father Papczynski knew his Nation, and knew what was its power and strength. This is why he gave his Nation such coun- sels that are still timely. His life and charism are still compelling [...] We ought to imitate him.” 1. Created in the image of the Merciful God and called to holiness Father Papczynski admired the beauty of life and saw it as the gift of the Holy Trinity. He wrote: “Remember that you were created out of nothing, [...] and have been made so beautiful by the wisdom of the Divine Artist that — aside from the inhabi- tants of Heaven—you surpass in appearance all creatures. God shows you kindness out of pure, selfless love for you. From it comes God’s wish to be reconciled with us, to do us good and showmercy.” Today also, the new saint calls out: “Contemplate God’s mercy! Proclaim that the heart of God is open to all and attest that the path to salvation is not closed to any sinner, pro- vided that he is ready to repent.” Today Fr. Papczynski assures us, just as he did more than three centuries ago: “your Redeemer, the best Shepherd, gave His life. you are full of sins? Jesus came to save sinners. Surrender yourself entirely to Jesus, and Jesus will be entirely yours. It really is a great happiness to possess the Holy Spirit, but an even greater one is to work according to the Holy Spirit, while the greatest yet — to com- plete one’s days in the Holy Spirit.” S AINT S TANISLAUS P APCZYNSKI 180