Saint Stanislaus Papczynski — The Life and Writings

Marian Fathers. Therefore, the Congregation became an order under diocesan law, fully dependent on the local ordinary. Though Bishop Wierzbowski renewed his approval before his death, difficulties arose with his successor, Bishop John Witwicki. Many objections were being made against the Marian Fathers, and the new bishop considered dissolving the com- munity. He initially sided with the opponents of Fr. Papczynski. But the bishop was won over by the sincerity of Fr. Papczyn- ski’s intentions and by one of his writings. He took a more care- ful look at the accusations and finally found them to be unfounded, rejecting them. However, Fr. Stanislaus understood well that the Congrega- tion could not feel safe as long as it did not obtain papal approval. Such approval was also necessary in order to have the privilege of taking solemn vows, which would dissuade confreres from leaving the order without a serious reason. In the late fall of 1690, Fr. Stanislaus left for Rome to seek papal recognition of the order. Like everything else up to this point in his life, his efforts met with further obstacles. Traveling on foot, he reached the eternal City in February of the following year after a long and difficult journey. A painful surprise awaited him: Pope Alexander VIII had died a few days before his arrival, and it was evident that the election of a successor would take time. Father Papczynski made all necessary efforts concerning the planned work, but he could not count on getting papal approval until the election of the next pope. To his chagrin, the conclave was the longest one in the 17 th century, with the cardinals un- able to reach a decision. Finally, because of his impaired health and a lack of hope of accomplishing his project, he left Rome while the Holy See was still vacant. The day after his departure, the new pope was elected. The cardinals entrusted the office of St. Peter to Cardinal Antonio Pignatelli. He was well known to Papczynski as the former apostolic nuncio to Poland and his penitent. The new Pope chose the name “Innocent XII.” But Fr. S AINT S TANISLAUS P APCzyNSkI 20