Theological Foundations new file

19 Introduction Venerable Servant of God. The first one was drafted on December 9, 1692. The second one dates back to ca. 1699/1701 and contains Father Papczynski’s last admonishments addressed to his spiritual sons. Among the sources which assist us in studying the teaching of Blessed George Matulaitis-Matulewicz, the following ones are the most useful: SPIRITUAL DIARY, Warsaw, 1988; CONSTITUTIONES Congregationis Clericorum Regularium Marianorum sub titulo Immaculatae Conceptionis Beatissimae Virginis Mariae, Romae, 1959; POLISH LETTERS, vol. I-III, ed. by J. Bukowicz, Warsaw, 1987; MANUSCRIPTA POLONA, Arch. Gen. CC. RR. Marianorum, vol. I- II. Father Matulaitis-Matulewicz wrote his Spiritual Diary in the years 1910 to 1914. It is, as it were, his self-portrait written during the initial period of the renovation of the Congregation, dedicated to his confreres with whom he shares his inspirations and revelations. For this reason it is an important source useful in our research. Constitutiones are the constitutions for the renovated congregation of Marians. Father Matulaitis-Matulewicz prepared their first draft in 1909, the next and final one — in the years 1922 to 1926. This double work on the constitutions allowed him to create a work so mature that it was also appreciated by people from outside the congregation. After the Renovator’s death only a few modifications were introduced to these constitutions. They were published in their final version three years after their author’s death, i.e., in 1930. They were binding in the Congregation of Marians until the changes introduced after Vatican II. Instructiones are the instructions written by the Renovator of Marians. They are an ascetic and religious commentary to the constitu- tions. Here the author elaborated on the character and the spirit of the Congregation. As he was writing these instructions, he drew his inspira- tion from prayer, from the experience of the Church throughout the ages, from the history of his own and other religious congregations and from the advice of various competent people. He left a series of instructions regarding the spiritual and religious life seen in various aspects. In the