Wacław Potocki was born to a minor szlachta family, belonging to the Arian Christian sect of the Polish brethren. It is likely that he attended the Polish brethren Racibórz academy. After The Deluge (the Swedish invasion and occupation of Poland from 1655 to 1657), the Polish brethren were sentenced to be exiled from the Commonwealth for their support of the invading Swedes. Wacław was given a choice between exile and conversion to Roman Catholicism, and he reluctantly chose conversion. His wife, however, refused at first, and for many years he feared for her life.