The beginnings and development of the Confraternity
In accordance with the ancient tradition of the Order, the Father General can after hearing the opinion of the Definitorium to receive either clergy or laity into the “Confraternity” as a way of expressing to them gratitude for their kindnesses or as a way of giving them greater participation in the Order. All this accordance, following statutes which concern this matter. (art. 125)
The Pauline Confraternity, an informal association of benefactors and friends of the Order, dates to the beginnings of the 14th century. It did not constitute a legal organisation but was a spiritual link between the Order and a privileged circle of its benefactors, friends, and collaborators. Thanks to this communion with clergy and laity, the Paulines could fulfil their mission in the Church better. The confreres became sharers in all the spiritual goods of the Order both during their lifetime and after their death.
The General of the Order or the Provincial, when admitting a lay or clerical person to a confraternity, wished first of all to express his gratitude and appreciation for the services rendered by him to our community so far, and at the same time to involve him in the spiritual goods and in an even greater participation in fulfilling the tasks and mission of the Order.
The name of the confrere was entered in a special book, and a decorative document was issued for more important people (e.g. cardinals, kings, etc.). Some were recorded in the book with their hands and made pledges, votive offerings and gifts on this occasion.
People from all walks of life were admitted to the confraternity: kings, princes, cardinals, bishops, priests, monks and nuns, townspeople, people of culture, science and farmers.
On 12 August 1472, among others, King Casimir Jagiellon and his wife and children were received. With time, Saint Casimir became the patron saint of the Pauline Confraters. Other Polish, Hungarian and Czech kings were also admitted as confreres. Particularly noteworthy among the confraters were: Duke Jerzy Lubomirski, Canon Jan Długosz, composer Professor Józef Elsner, Frederic Chopin’s teacher and rector of the Conservatory of Music in Warsaw, writers Henryk Sienkiewicz and Ignacy Kraszewski, Blessed Archbishop Józef Bilczewski of Lviv, Blessed Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński Primate of Poland, and others.
Over the years, the influence of the Jasna Gora Shrine contributed to the confraternity also taking on a Marian character. Therefore, in recent centuries, admission to the confraternity was determined by a particularly lively and authentic veneration for the Virgin Mother of God of Czestochowa and a willingness to cooperate with the Pauline Fathers in carrying out Marian apostolic tasks. This is confirmed by the texts contained in the diplomas of the confraternity.
