The Venerable Servant of God
\nFr. Casimir Wyszynski (1700-1755)<\/p><\/h1><\/div>
The Venerable Servant of God Father Casimir of St. Joseph Wyszynski was born August 19, 1700, at the estate Jeziora Wielka near Warsaw, Poland. At his baptism, he received the name Januarius Francis. When he was two, he and his family had to flee from the Swedish Army’s devastation of Poland. After a few years of wandering, the Wyszynski family came back to their estate.<\/p>\n
According to his father’s wish, he studied law, preparing for a career at the Royal Chancery. He made a vow to go on a pilgrimage to St. James’ Tomb in Compostela, Spain. Despite his family’s objections, he did not change his decision. He finally received his father’s blessing and set out for Rome. He arrived in the Eternal City in 1721 and soon left for the remaining trip with a group of pilgrims. He was forced by illness to return. In Rome, his vow of pilgrimage was changed to visiting Rome’s Churches and carrying out works of mercy.<\/p>\n
While visiting Shrines of the Eternal City, young Wyszynski met Fr. Joachim Kozlowski, procurator of the Marian Order. He heard that his brother (who was in the Marian novitiate) had done much harm to the new Order. Moved by this news he said: “I want to make up for what my brother ruined, I ask you for the habit.” He took the white Marian habit November 18, 1723, in Rome and accepted the name Casimir of St. Joseph. After returning to Poland, he entered the novitiate and in 1725 made his religious vows.<\/p>\n<\/div>
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<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/span><\/div>Venerable\u00a0Casimir<\/span>\u00a0Wyszynski<\/span>‘s signature as the Superior General of the Marians – together with the Great Seal of the Order – on his circular letter from May 18, 1748<\/p>\n<\/div> One year later, he was ordained a priest. From the very beginning of his religious life, he distinguished himself in his zeal for evangelical perfection, ardent devotion to the mystery of the Immaculate Conception, and active care for those suffering injustice. He also zealously worked for the beatification of the Marian founder, Fr. Stanislaus Papczy\u0144ski (1631-1701). The members of his community expressed their approval of his work through appointing him novice master, a local superior, procurator at Rome \u2014 and twice electing him general superior in 1737-41 and 1747-50.<\/p>\n In these positions, he helped the Marians grow in merit and number, made the Marians an international community, and accepted candidates to the Order from all over Europe.<\/p>\n In 1753, he went to Portugal where he founded the first Marian monastery at Balsamao. He died there October 21, 1755, in the opinion of sanctity.<\/p>\n<\/div> The document issued by Fr. General Cajetan Wetycki on July 28, 1752, authorizing Fr. Wyszy\u0144ski to establish the Marians in Portugal.<\/p>\n<\/div> Joseph the First, King of Portugal (1750-1777) during the time when Fr. Wyszynski arrived there.<\/p>\n<\/div> Mary the First, Queen of Portugal (1777-1816), who approved the existence of the Marian Order in her country.<\/p>\n<\/div> A few years after his death, the beatification process was begun in Portugal and later in Poland and Rome. This process, interrupted during the partition of Poland in the 19th\u00a0century and the political turmoil in Portugal, was reopened in\u00a01953 in Rome. Many report graces obtained through the intercession of Fr.\u00a0Casimir. He was declared a Venerable Servant of God in\u00a01989.<\/p>\n His fame of sanctity has lasted 200\u00a0years, especially in Portugal where it survived the period of confiscation and closing of religious communities. Even now Portuguese call him “Santo Polacco,” the Holy Pole. This gives us hope for a successful conclusion of efforts for his beatification. However, it depends on our prayers for this intention. Please ask the intercession of Fr.\u00a0Casimir for your intentions. Please scroll down for suggested prayers included on this page.<\/p>\n From The Writings of Fr.\u00a0Wyszynski<\/strong><\/p>\n Christ left us in His own Mother the most perfect example of His life. She knew exactly the ways of God; her holy virtues show us how we should follow Christ. Only by imitating Mary shall we be her true venerators and servants. To imitate the Mother of God means to imitate most faithfully Christ Himself. More than all the saints, she knew Christ’s teachings and way of life.<\/p>\n If we want to be Mary’s true venerators and servants, we cannot limit ourselves only to study her greatness and dignity, privileges, and virtues. Nor is it enough to praise her by prayers and songs, giving some offerings in her honor, or making vows and acts of consecration. First of all, we have to imitate her exemplary life and special virtues. This way we become more like her and therefore pleasing to her.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div>