Reform of the Congregations of the Marian Fathers in 1909 as an example of a “non-conflict” reform

Abstract

The Congregation of Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary in the beginning of the 20^th century was on the verge of the extinction: in the Mariampole (Lithuania) stayed only one member of the Congregation –  Fr. W.Sekowski.  Fr. J.Matulewicz decided to renew the Congregation, however it was impossible to do this manifestly, because of the repression from the side of the tsarist power. Thus, there was a necessity of the radical reform of the Congregation.

            The author of this paper, basing on the published documents and descriptions, presents the course of changes and attempts to answer a question why these changes happened without conflicts.

            The first reason for a lack of conflict is a small group of people involved in the reform, then – no bigger problem with proper understanding of the necessity of these changes by all interested. The next reason is cooperation full of respect and agreement between the people involved in the reform. Finally, it is important to mention presence and involvement of the overriding power – Holy See – in the reform.

            Furthermore, the author presents “the other side of the coin”: working of so called “stanisławici”, or priests, who believed that there was not any reform and exactly they are proper Marian fathers. They and also some later authors are the example of the delayed resistance towards already finished reform of the Congregation. This conflict was resolved by the competent authority of the Church.