Stanislaus of Jesus and Mary Papczynski
The Congregation of Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary is a fraternal community of consecrated life in the Roman Catholic Church. In America, the members of the Congregation are perhaps best known for their work promoting the message of The Divine Mercy from Stockbridge, Massachusetts. They are also known for their devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary in the mystery of her Immaculate Conception, dedication to praying for the poor souls in Purgatory, and active service to the Church.
Founded in Poland in 1670 by Saint Stanislaus Papczynski, today the Marian Congregation has about 500 priests and brothers who labor in 20 countries: the USA, Argentina, Belarus, Brazil, Cameroon, Czech Republic, Germany, India, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Rwanda, Slovakia, Ukraine, Vietnam, and the United Kingdom.
The Marian Congregation is unique in that it has not only a founder, Saint Stanislaus, but also what the Marians call a “Renovator”: Lithuanian-born Blessed George Matulaitis. Blessed George is credited with saving the Marian Congregation from annihilation when he renovated it in 1909. Prior to the Renovation, the Marian Congregation had been reduced to just one member due to relentless persecution by Russian authorities. With the support of the Pope and bishops, Blessed George rewrote the Marians’ Constitutions, gathered new members, and unleashed the renovated Marian Congregation as a zealous army for Christ and the Church in the modern world.