George Matulaitis Journal

The full meaning of this portion of the journal can’t be appreciated with- out the chronology of events and surrounding story. Here the footnotes and additional material of this edition are particularly valuable. The journal for these years inVilnius makes clear that George is fully aware of those who are vilifying him. And yet, knowing what he knows, George relates to them with all the concern and charity he has, as if he didn’t know their misdeeds. It becomes clear that George lives by a strength, and with a charity, that is not the result of human effort. He has heard theWord and under- stood it; he indeed bears fruit a hundred- and sixty- and thirty-fold. III. Therefore, if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17 RSV) The careful reading of the journal allows us to see the work of God in the heart and in the life of Blessed George. His life inspired and affected many, many others. As he witnessed to Christ, and Him Crucified, he led others to a deeper life in Christ. This deep communion with God, that other Marians learned from George, led them, to the complete gift of self for Christ and the Church. The Marian martyrs of Rosica are but one example of the enduring legacy of holiness left to the Marian community and the Church by Blessed George. Blessed George is, as Pope John Paul II said after his beatification, “a gift to Lithuania and the Church.” Rev. Shaun O’Connor, MIC, Ph.D. 15