George Matulaitis Journal

137 1914 During the summer of 1913 (July-August) Father Matulaitis and two other Marians, Fathers Felix Kudirka and Julian Kazakas, left for the United States to found the first Marian mission in Chicago. Upon his return to Fribourg, Matulaitis often spoke and wrote of his favorable impressions of America, especially of the mixture of various nationalities living and working together in harmony. This was an ideal close to his heart. He now resumed his former tasks, but made only a single entry in his Journal, which was then interrupted for several years. By this time the Marian community had grown considerably and had moved into a larger house on the rue Grande Fontaine. Here they turned the most beautiful room in the house into a chapel dedicated it to Our Lady. February 23 It has been a long while since I have written anything down in this notebook. I was immersed in my work and various other matters, especially in writing the Instructions. All my thoughts, even during meditation, turned in that direction. Thanks to the good God, I was able to accomplish a great deal. Whenever some good idea, insight, or inspiration came to me, I incorporated it into the Instructions. May God be thanked for everything: may everything be for His greater glory. During this time, Lord, you allowed me to bear many crosses and granted me special graces. May You be praised a thousand times for it all! I especially give thanks to You, Lord, for the extraordinary favor bestowed on me one day during Holy Mass, as the organist chanted the “Gloria.” Such wonderful, holy tremors passed through me and overwhelmed me: my eyes were dimmed, my body became rigid and seemed powerless, my soul was filled with an ineffable delight, an ineffable sweetness took possession of my whole being. How sweet You are, Lord! Who can put it into words? If You have condescended to console and comfort such an unworthy sinner as I, what then have Your