George Matulaitis Journal

146 From the Bishop of Kaunas, I learned that he was enthusiastically endorsing my candidacy for Bishop of Vilnius both with the Lithuanian council and the German authorities. In every possible way I tried to convince him that I was needed by my Congregation and that I could serve the Church and society far better in this capacity; that no one else could do my work, while others were equally capable of being bishop. He finally promised me at least this much: that he would no longer support my candidacy, but would leave the matter to Divine Providence. Having finished my work in Kaunas, I set out for Marijampole on, I think it was, March 14th. In Marijampole, I gave a retreat for high-school and seminary students and then I conducted one for lay people as well. The situation in which I found our community in Marijampole was very difficult. There was a great deal of parish work to do as well as work with organizations such as the Ziburys 1 and others. All this had fallen upon the shoulders of Father Dvaranauskas 2 and, in part, on Father Novickas. 3 Father Smulk tys 4 is also very active and industrious. Some diocesan priests were staying at our monastery and there were constant visitors as well as priests’ meetings. There was practically no free time. During their meetings the priests would sometimes vehemently criticize the diocesan administration, especially since there was no seminary or chancery. When they got too heated up I tried to calm them down, reminding them of the requirements of Canon Law. They wanted me to agree to become rector of the seminary of Sejny, but I categorically refused. I had come to revive our Congregation and not for any other purpose. The Bishop of Sejny 5 himself came to Marijampole. We succeeded in getting permission from the German authorities to 1 Ziburys (The beacon), a society founded in 1906, in Marijampole, for charitable and educational work. One of its main concerns was founding schools. During WW I, some of its members lived at the Marian monastery and resumed their work when the war ended. 2 Vincentas Dvaranauskas (1871-1966): Lithuanian priest, had studied at the Theological Academy of St. Petersburg with Matulaitis; ordained in 1899, he had worked in Lithuania for a time, entering the Marian novitiate in Fribourg in 1911, returned to Lithuania in 1917; pastor of St. Michael’s church 1917-25; elected president of the Ziburys organization in 1918. 3 Justinas Novickas (Navickas): ordained 1909; entered the Marian novitiate in Fribourg 1911. Returned to Lithuania, appointed Novice Master of Lithuanian novitiate in Marijampole by Matulaitis in 1918. 4 Antanas Smulk tys, Lithuanian priest, writer and high-school teacher. Stayed at the monastery in Marijampole for a time, but did not join the Marians. 5 Antanas Karosas (1856-1947): Bishop of Sejny (1910-1920). Exiled to Russia during WW I, returned to his diocese in 1917 amid political unrest. Part of the diocese was in Lithuania, part in Poland, since the post-war borders had not been established. He reopened the diocesan Seminary in 1918, but it was closed again in 1919, when this area came under the control of the Polish army.