Saint Stanislaus Papczynski — The Life and Writings

after Father Founder’s death], the parliament of the Polish- Lithuanian Commonwealth turned to the Holy See and requested the beatification and canonization of our newly can- onized saint. This was done, not only because he was a great spiritual leader and an excellent preacher who taught his young confreres, brothers, and priests; or because he was a renowned rhetorician who wrote a textbook before he founded the Marians; but also on account of his being a great patriot and a great intercessor for his country. He frequently said that love of one's country and giving of oneself to his country is [a virtue to be emulated]. He said we need good Poles, and a good Pole is someone who has given himself to his country in a heroic way—who has morals, who has ethical values, and who is courageous. This is how I would summarize his own words. He chal- lenged his fellow countrymen to this way of life and was un- compromising in this. He was not only a priest, but he was a warrior, a warrior for a free, strong, sovereign, and independ- ent Poland. And that is why the parliament of the Common- wealth of Poland and Lithuania already, 63 years after his death, issued this attestation of his singular virtues so that he may be proclaimed a blessed and then a saint. And that’s why today is a day of rejoicing for our whole country, the Church as well as our nation. And Poland has waited for this moment, this moment of canonization by the Holy Father and the Church. Poland has waited for this moment when the Marians’ Founder is brought into the community of the people — the saints — who, by their way of life, have merited official recognition of their sanctity. Here I wish to say that I am thankful that I was invited. This is not just a personal matter of someone who, in an unusual way, is connected to the Podegrodzie and Stary Sacz [area of southern Poland]. I can say I am a member of the region. Today, I would like to congratulate all the people from this region. It is from their heritage that this great man came. I would also like to congratulate the Marian Fathers. The Superior General S AINT S TANISLAUS P APCZYNSKI 188