George Matulaitis Journal

101 2) I also explained that for the time being I had to act as novice master, although this is not strictly according to our Constitutions, 1 but our number is so small—only three professed—with ten in the novi- tiate and many more wanting to enter. 3) I inquired what was to be done in the following case: the bishops of Russia gladly give verbal assent to those candidates who wish to join us, but they are afraid to give it in writing, lest the government should find out and punish them. 2 Is verbal assent sufficient in such cases? 4) What must be done about bishops who impede and detain candidates wanting to enter our Congregation? He answered that we must be patient and try to persuade them courteously and quietly. We should not appeal to the Sacred Congregations. Then I added that I hope the bishops, when they see our work, will be more flexible and conform to Canon Law more readily. 5) I asked whether the Congregation for Religious readily granted dispensations for those who wished to enter our Community but were thirty-six years of age or older. He replied that in some cases such dispensations were granted, but each case was considered individually. 6) I inquired where I must go to obtain certain faculties and spiritual privileges for our Congregation. He replied: to the Congregation of the Holy Office. 7) I brought up the cases of Bizauskas 3 and Indrulis. 4 He answered that if the bishop has appealed to the Sacred Congregation, he must wait for its reply. If the reply is negative, then they may enter our Community. I then presented the following petitions: 1) that I be confirmed as Superior General; 2) that the transfer of the novitiate to Fribourg be confirmed; 3) that Father Vincent Dvaranauskas, 5 who is over thirty-six years old, be granted a 1 Canon Law also did not allow the superior general of a religious community to be novice master as well. 2 It was illegal for religious communities to accept candidates in lands ruled by the Russian Czar; a bish- op could be punished for allowing a person to enter a religious community. The Church required ordained priests to get written permission from their bishop to join a religious community. 3 Pranciskus Bizauskas (1861-1937): a Lithuanian priest; he joined the Franciscans in 1911 and worked in Lithuania. 4 Jonas Indrulis (b. 1861): also a Lithuanian priest; he did not join the Marians. 5 Vincentas Dvaranauskas (1871-1966): had studied with Matulaitis at the Theological Academy of St. Petersburg; ordained in 1899. Joined the Marians in 1911, made his novitiate in Fribourg. Returned to Lithuania and worked in Marijampole; in 1918 Matulaitis appointed him superior of the Marian monastery and pastor of the church.