the Norma Vitæ. In the fall of the same year, Fr. Joachim travelled to the Eternal City in the company of Br. Anthony Ciƒski. After the Marian petition was twice rejected by the Congregation for Bishops and Religious (certainly due to the decree issued by the IV Lateran Council in 1215, forbidding the approval of newly created religious communities on any other than the already approved rule), the Marian Procurator General was forced to seek a different road. There was a chance to have the Marian Order ratified upon an existing Rule. Following the advice from Fr. Francis Diaz, OFM, Fr. Joachim decided to take for the Marian Order The Rule of the Ten Virtues. A permission was needed from the Superior General of the Friars Minor, which office was held then by Fr. Matthew of St. Stephan, OFM. Thus, Fr. Koz∏owski petitioned him for granting the Rule and for incorporating the Marians into his Order. On September 21, 1699, the Franciscans’ Superior issued the requested document at the monastery of Ara Coeli. Then, it was necessary to obtain the confirmation of all privileges granted to the Marians by Friars Minor. For this purpose, Fr. Koz∏owski petitioned Pope Innocent XII (probably in October of 1699) and received in response the brief Exponi nobis nuper of November 24, 1699. This was a letter to the Apostolic Nuncio in Poland informing him that 26
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