Theological Foundations new file

18 Theological Foundations its members would be called Clerici Mariani, and that the institute would bear the title of the Immaculate Conception. As we discuss the sources for the present book, we must not overlook the REPORT FROM THE VISITATION conducted by Bishop S.H. Swiecicki, prepared on October 24, 1670, during his canonical visitation of the Korabiew Hermitage. At that time the Visitator left the first Marians certain dispositions and statutes which they were supposed to follow in addition to the Rule of Life. Among the later documents which proved useful in preparing this book, mention should be made of the LETTER TO THE MARIANS of the Korabiew Forest dated April 19, 1690. Father Papczynski listed in it certain rules of discipline to be followed by the members of the congre- gation of that monastery. Yet, in its spiritual content, the letter has a gen- eral character and may be considered as an encouragement to practice virtues and live pious lives — an encouragement addressed to any broader group of people. Another very useful source is the document entitled PRAECEPTA PRO FRATRIBUS MARIANIS PATRIS STANISLAI. It contains the recommendations for the confreres living at the Korabiew Hermitage. We do not know the exact date when this document was written, but it happened probably after April 10, perhaps in June of 1701. In the rec- ommendations mentioned above we can see the concern of our Founder about religious discipline and the spiritual well being of the confreres. One must not underestimate such sources as the collection of Paschal sermons entitled ORATOR CRUCIFIXUS, Cracow, 1670, and a little ascetic work entitled TEMPLUM DEI MYSTICUM, Cracow, 1675. The first one is a collection of meditations upon the words uttered by Christ on the Cross, containing practical instructions for Christian life. The second one is a kind of a textbook on asceticism and discusses the theological foundations of Christian life. On the basis of Revelation and the works of the writers of the Church, the author presents here both the ideal of Christian perfection and the particular stages of its development. We must also mention two SPIRITUAL TESTAMENTS of the