George Matulaitis Journal

tor (Blessed) Honorat Ko?minski , ofm cap, that this time taught him “what affliction is.” At death’s door, he surrendered himself to God through Mary’s hands. His life, it seemed certain, was at its end. … And then, in what he was convinced was the action of Providence, George was brought back from death to life. The Countess Cecilia Plater-Zyberg had heard of his plight, brought him to her family estate, and paid for a doctor’s care. The connections made through the Countess and her girls’ academy helped to open the doors of the next stage of George’s life, the abundant har- vest which began to be reaped with the renewal of the Marian Order. II. As for what was sown on good soil, this is he who hears the word and understands it; he indeed bears fruit, and yields, in one case a hundred- fold, in another sixty, and in another thirty. (Matthew 13:23 RSV) Failed attempts to continue an underground association of priests, estab- lished by Blessed Honorat, led George to another, just as risky, undertaking: renewing the Marian community. The first part of the journal reflects these efforts, reflections and the prayers of George as he quietly goes about the work of bringing the Marian community back to life. If we keep the chronology of events from George’s life alongside the diary entries, we see the Marian community as if it were in the tomb waiting the moment of resurrection and new life. This is clear to George, reflected in the seemingly obscure reference to the grain dying, as he quotes John 12:24 on November 17, 1910. (This is a theme he will later develop at length in the 1924 circular letter on the revision of the community’s Constitution.) Likewise, the journal of his years as bishop of Vilnius reflects George’s ever more mature spiritual life. The Pauline motto of his episcopacy – “Overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21 RSV) shows the “new life” he had personally received, being put into action. Freed from death – George had already come face to face with death years before in Transfiguration hospital — there was nothing left to fear — George was now free to live completely for Christ. Or as Paul put it, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20 RSV) 14