Saint Stanislaus Papczynski — The Life and Writings

would be tantamount to the suppression of the newborn insti- tute. The Founder understood this dilemma. That is why he kept the references to the eremitical state in the Rule : in order to shield the community from its enemies, who wished its de- struction and demise, until papal approbation would secure its existence. When the Holy See granted its approval in 1700, the apostolic dimension of the community’s mission, according to the Founder’s vision, would be more fully articulated in the new Marian Constitutions. For now, itwas the personal holiness of Fr. Stanislaus that began to inspire new vocations to the Congregation. The growing num- ber of brothers allowed the Congregation to open another monastery. Responding to the invitation of Bishop Stefan Wierzbowski, Fr. Stanislaus chose Góra kalwaria (New Jerusalem) as the place for the new foundation. There, he received St. Martin’s Chapel and later the Church of the Lord’s Supper (the Cenacle). Shortly after opening the new house (in 1677) at the request of the bishop, Fr. Stanislausmoved to Góra. Hewould stay there until his death in 1701. Alas, there were difficulties here as well. In spite of the general hospitality of the majority of the population, Fr. Papczynski him- self and some other brothers became the butt of many taunts and jeers. Why? Because Fr. Papczynski, formerly one of the leading preachers and intellectuals in the country’s capital, was now living and working with the uneducated, with homeless veterans, with the poor. The earlyMarianswere even assaulted and beaten. Some went so far as to threaten to kill them. But the Marian Fathers patiently put up with everything. After some time, they received the reputation of being holymen—and Fr. Stanislauswas spoken of most highly out of all the Marian Fathers. new Difficulties Shortly after his arrival at Góra, the Founder renewed his efforts to obtain papal approval for his Congregation. The first step for accomplishing this was the confirmation of the commu- nity by Bishop Wierzbowski, who was well-disposed to the A Brief Biography 19