George Matulaitis Journal

118 life better. Now we must thank God for everything we have. 11. Grum told me about some of the difficulties he has with community life. They are of a psychological nature. In our Congregation we take into account the particular characteristics of each individual to see whether they would really prevent him from being a good religious. The older orders were stricter in this respect, but we are inclined to be more flexible. Really, if anyone wants to be by himself for a while, we gladly allow him to do so—if, for example, he wants to take a walk by himself. It is more important that he be willing to renounce himself, to be humble, and to love God and others, to be faithful to his vows and the evangelical counsels. As for the other requirements, he can occasionally be dispensed from these, if need be. 12. Grum expressed some anxiety about what might happen if he were to enter our Congregation and his parents became seriously ill. He would not want to leave them, but would like to show his love for them, especially since they oppose Catholicism. It would be good to show them that the Catholic Faith changes a person for the better, gives him the strength to be good, etc. I responded that, in my opinion, a member of our community would certainly be allowed to go and stay with his parents and to care for them in such an eventuality. Charity is most important of all. 1 In fact, in Grum’s case, as he presented it, it could not be otherwise. 13. We were both of the same opinion that it would be a good idea if, at some later date, I could visit a Jesuit novitiate (Feldkirch 2 ) or a Benedictine one (Beuron 3 ) and stay there for about a week, talk to the Novice Master, etc. I told Grum that I had been thinking about it and intended to send some member of our community to look around. Grum said that it would be better if I did the traveling myself. We agreed on this point. 1 Cf., 1 Cor. 13:13b. 2 The Jesuit novitiate in Feldkirch, in the Austrian district of Voralberg, was founded in the 19th century and in use until 1982, with Stella Matutina College. 3. A Benedictine monastery in Germany, famous for its publications, religious art, and liturgical music. After the closing of many monasteries in Europe and Russia in the mid-19th century, it became one of the cen- ters for the revival of monastic and religious life.