George Matulaitis Journal
PREFACE FROM THE GENERAL POSTULATOR OF THE MARIAN FATHERS In the introduction to the first Polish edition of the Blessed George’s Spiritual Journal , Provincial Witold Nieciecki, MIC, of Poland, wrote: While it is not an autobiography, the Journal is a wonderful self-portrait by the artist, made on a spur of the moment, with- out careful posturing or some later touching-up. It is the testi- mony of a soul seeking God in everything. It is an unpretentious, engagingly simple and sincere declaration of love for God and for Christ’s Church. It is, as well, about the Church’s needs, which are understood and are taken up personally as the most important needs of all. These few sentences can help us – before we begin reading – to meet its author, beatified 15 years ago. He is specially honored in both Lithuania and Poland, where he lived and left behind the mark of his earthly pilgrimage. However, it should be noted, that these words can only bring us a little clos- er to his holy life, which escapes any precise description inasmuch as it is a reflection of Christ’s life. The Journal , without doubt, is more than just a collection of reflections and considerations. Nor is it just a record of spiritual inspirations. It is a kind of narrow opening through which we can look directly into the heart of Blessed George and see there the fire of his love, his awareness of his own weaknesses, and read about his joy and sadness, his convictions and quests. To make this “wonderful self-portrait by the artist himself” even more understandable, we need a few more details from Blessed George’s life, to create a sort of a panoramic background for his thoughts. George Matulewicz was born on April 13, 1871, in the village of Lugine, near Marijampole, in the district of Suwa=ki . He was the eighth child in a family of Lithuanian farmers. At age 3, he lost his father, and a few years later – his beloved mother. Financial problems in the family caused him to interrupt his schooling.
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