Heraldic Commentary Update 2

I NTRODUCTION From the inception of the Congregation of Marian Fathers, its Founder and first Superior General, St. Stanislaus Papczy ń ski, saw the need to have a seal. The seal was necessary to certify the legitimacy of documents presented to the Church and civil authorities for the approval of the Order and its rule, as well as for establishing new foundations. In the first half of the 18 th century, the Venerable Servant of God CasimirWyszy ń ski composed a biography of Father Found- er (cf. Stró ż Duchowego Dziedzictwa Marianów [ Guardian of the Marian Spiritual Legacy ], Warszawa-Stockbridge, 2004, p.134, No.109) that gives following details on the genesis of the Congregation’s first seal and its subsequent modifications. I will quote the entire respective passage: It seems that the Venerable Servant of God Father Stanislaus of Jesus and Mary has foreseen all this [persecution], when setting up the Congregation in that place and laying its first foundations. The site received the name of “Noah’s Ark” as if to protect it from the floods of infernal persecutions. Although the Congre- gation was established under the title of the Immaculate Con- ception of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, yet [the Founder] wished to insure protection for his order by using the seal with a dove holding a green branch, thus expressing his hope in over- coming all dangers. Just like the Noah’s Ark saved only eight people once, so the eight remaining religious saved the Congre- gation from extinction. Thanks to the kindness and protection of the Most-High Shepherd Innocent XIII, who ratified this Insti- tute anew, the flood of persecutions receded. The seal with a dove has been replaced then with a seal bearing the image of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M. and this seal is still being used today. 19