George Matulaitis Journal

155 and the city government. We stopped at the Gate of Dawn Shrine. 1 Monsignor Wo=od{ko briefly addressed me at the chapel in Polish and, afterwards, we sang the Litany of the Blessed Virgin. There was quite a large gathering and they joined in as we sang: “We plead for your protection.” I spoke a few words in Polish. I had received a letter from Prime Minister Voldemaras. 2 When we got to the sacristy, Monsignors Hanusowicz, Wo=od{ko , and I read the letter. Mr. Voldemaras demanded that the representatives of the Lithuanian Council and the state officials be given first place in the reception line. Otherwise, if the Chapter refused to allow this, they would decline to attend the ceremonies. He also requested that I address the Belorussians in church. Monsignor Hanusowicz replied that the Chapter had unanimously decided not only that should there be no address in Belorussian, but that it was not necessary even to read the bull in that language, since there is not a single parish where it is used. If I should order it, the Belorussian text of the bull could be read, but an unpleasant incident would result. I answered that I was ready to comply with the decisions of the Chapter, since it was hosting this event and understands the situation better than I. For my part, I do not wish to be the cause of any disturbance. Actually, it was not I who determined the order in which the various delegations were to address me—I had left that to the Chapter. I asked only that they would try to reconcile everyone and to avoid any unpleasantness. Monsignor Hanusowicz said that if the Lithuanian Council strongly insisted, their representatives could be given first place and that he would inform Canon Lubianiec. I requested that, if possible, the Lithuanian Council members be given priority. 1 One of the two most famous shrines of Mary in Lithuania. The chapel is built over one of the ancient city gates, and its miraculous Madonna has been venerated for centuries. In 1918, the pastor of the Gate of Dawn parish was Msgr. Franciszek Wo=od{ko , a member of the Cathedral Chapter. 2 Augustinas Voldemaras (1883-1942): Lithuanian historian and statesman. The first Prime Minister of independent Lithuania.