Saint Stanislaw of Jesus And Mary

Biography

Saint Stanislaw of Jesus and Mary, also known as Jan Papczynski, Jana Papczynski, Stanislao de Jesus Maria, Stanislaus of Jesus and Mary, Stanislaus Papczynski, and the Father Founder of the Marians, was born on 18 May 1631 in Podegrodzie, Malopolskie, Poland. He was the youngest of eight children of Tomasz Papczyński, a village blacksmith and bailiff, and Zofia Tacikowska. As a young boy, Stanislaw worked as a shepherd, tending his father's sheep. Although he was not a natural student, he worked diligently and graduated from a series of schools, colleges, and seminaries. His perseverance and determination led him to join the Piarists on 2 July 1654, where he took the name Stanisłaus of Jesus and Mary. While living with the Piarists, Stanislaw worked as a menial at his house while continuing his studies. He taught rhetoric at Piarist colleges in Rzeszow and Podoliniec in Poland. On 12 March 1661, he was ordained a priest and began teaching at a college in Warsaw, using a rhetoric textbook that he authored, which became widely popular even after he left. Stanislaw was a renowned preacher, known for his powerful sermons. On feast days, he would deliver sermons in several churches in Warsaw. From 1663 to 1667, he served as the director of the Confraternity of Our Lady of Grace, Patroness of Warsaw. However, feeling that the Piarists had become too lax in their observance, Stanislaw obtained release from his vows on 11 December 1670 and left the Order. After a period of retreat, reflection, and prayer, he established a new congregation, the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, in September 1671. He envisioned this new congregation to better fit his vision of service. The first house of the new congregation was organized at Puszcza Korabiewska, Poland, in September 1673, with a group of former soldiers who had been living as religious hermits as the first members. This is considered the founding moment of the Marian Fathers, which became the Church's first men's religious order dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. The Congregation aimed to promote devotion to the Immaculate Conception and to educate and provide spiritual guidance to the faithful. Saint Stanislaw of Jesus and Mary lived a life dedicated to prayer, service, and the pursuit of holiness. He preached extensively, nurtured devotion to the Immaculate Conception, and guided his congregation in their mission. He was known for his humility, personal holiness, and charity towards others. Saint Stanislaw passed away on 17 September 1701 in Góra Kalwaria, Mazowieckie, Poland, due to natural causes. He was buried at the Church of the Lord's Cenacle in Góra Kalwaria. On 13 June 1992, Pope John Paul II declared his heroic virtues, recognizing his outstanding qualities as a saintly role model. On 17 September 2007, Pope Benedict XVI beatified Saint Stanislaw, celebrating the beatification at the Marian sanctuary in Licheń, Poland. The beatification miracle involved the healing of a Polish boy named Sebastian, who regained a heartbeat on the 8th day of a novena prayed to Stanislaw by a relative. Sebastian was eventually born without complications in October 2001. Finally, on 5 June 2016, Pope Francis canonized Saint Stanislaw of Jesus and Mary, officially recognizing him as a saint of the Catholic Church. The canonization ceremony took place at Saint Peter's Square in Vatican City, Rome, Italy. The canonization miracle involved the complete healing of a 20-year-old Polish woman who had been reduced to mechanical life support due to a respiratory disease that had damaged her lungs beyond use. Saint Stanislaw of Jesus and Mary is revered as the patron saint of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary. His life and teachings continue to inspire and guide many in their spiritual journey.