O. Kazimierz Wyszyński – Apostoł Niepokalanej
FATHER K. VIŠINSKIS - THE APOSTLE OF IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Summary/Abstract: Father K. Višinskis was considered the central figure in the fulfillment of the desires of the benefactor Countess P. Butlerienė. Even before the council passed the decision for benefaction in 1749, he was already recognized as a friend of Bishop Teodoras Cartoriskis. The bishop's brother, Archduke Mykolas Cartoriskis, who maintained a continual relationship with the Butleris family, admired the characteristics of both Višinskis and his monastery. Francis was very devout from his early years. Because his father had raised him poorly, he lacked selfconfdence and seemed to be lost in life. He knew that his family had persecuted Father Papčinskis and that his brother Juozas and others contributed to the dissemination of the Marians. At a decisive moment in his life, Francis converted and joined the Marian order with the desire to repair what Juozas had ruined. A letter to his brother Valerijonas shows that the reasons for the conversion and joining the Marian order were similar to the visions of the Apostle St. Paul: the Mother of God appeared to Francis and asked - Francis, why do you persecute me? From that moment forward, Father Kazimieras always sensed the intercession of the Immaculate Virgin Mary in his life and often prayed to her. He established the practice at the Balsamao Convent to leave an empty seat for the Virgin Mary in the choir. He presented himself completely as a servant to the Virgin Mary. He tattooed the signs of the Cross and the Immaculate Conception on his shoulders. He was dedicated to the Virgin Mary and to Father Stanislovas in all of his hardships and deeds. The above mentioned incident influenced not only his personal devotion, but also his missionary work. These changes are documented in the introduction to the work Aušros žvaigždė (Morning Star). This work outlines the practice of devotion to Mary, which is achieved through the most important element - the adherence to the virtues of Mary. When the virtues are practiced in the community of the monastery, Mary graces them with her mystic presence. Father Kazimieras admonished those who resisted the devotion to Mary and insisted only on devotion to Christ. He based his sentiments on the teachings of the Church Magisterium and speculative, biblical, and patristic arguments. In his devotion to Mary, Father Kazimieras wanted to spread the cult of the Immaculate Conception throughout the world. With this in mind, he travelled to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Ukraine and Portugal. He thought about Brazil. He was even prepared to travel to India so that through work and contemplation he could sacrifice his life to Mary. In search of theological connection between Eve and Mary, I emphasize the meaning of Mary's obedience in the life of the Church. Mary is unique in her example of obedience in the service of God. In Canaan Galilee, Mary said: “Do whatever he tells you to do” (John 2: 5). Striving to follow Mary's example of obedience, we must heed the Gospel of the Lord and

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