7 INTRODUCTION Undoubtedly, the duty of general chapters and those who govern individual religious congregations, including our Congregation of Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, is to strive to achieve coherence between the present reality of the community and the original intention of its founder, both at a theological and legal level. Preserving the identity of the religious family established by the founder is essential, despite the time that has passed since the founding. Nevertheless, well-crafted theological and legal regulations in constitutions will remain a mere formality if a congregation’s individual members are not inwardly drawn and motivated by the charism of their founder. They must hold a deep sense of responsibility towards it and firmly engrave it on their hearts. This occurred to our Father and Founder, St. Stanislaus of Jesus and Mary Papczyński. Inspired by a divine vision,1 he was led to establish a new religious community. In this role, he is the most significant and necessary reference point for fulfilling the charism received through him for the good of the whole Church. This charism is to serve the mystery of the Immaculate Conception of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Christ and the Church. Therefore, the way St. Stanislaus discovered, embraced, and embodied this charism should always be an example for all members of his Congregation, though it remains unparalleled. It would be strange, even unreasonable, to imagine a life in accordance with the Franciscan charism without acknowledging the spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi or to achieve the Jesuit ideal without taking inspiration from St. Ignatius of Loyola. Similarly, a Marian disregarding or remaining indifferent towards St. Stanislaus of Jesus and Mary would lack a relationship of spiritual sonship towards the Father Founder, significantly impacting his ability to embody the Marian identity. Studying the problem of a charism regarding the laws of religious congregations, an expert in this field noted that: Most often, its [charism’s] sense is narrowed only to the purpose of existence of an institute. Its expression in constitutions usually comes down to the most faithful description in the first 1 Saint Stanislaus Papczyński, The Foundation of the House of Recollection, No. 6, in Papczyński, Selected Writings (PROMIC, Warsaw-Stockbridge, MA: Marian Heritage, 2022), 903–904.
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