George Matulaitis Journal

164 December 26 On Christmas I celebrated midnight Mass and gave a homily. During the holidays I visited various Lithuanian and Polish institutions. On Christmas Eve I went to some of them for the traditional sharing of the Christmas wafer. 1 December 27 A certain Stefan Mickiewicz, a Polish Commissar sent by the Polish Government in Warsaw, came to see me. He announced that the Polish Government had decided to occupy Lithuania, but that this did not necessarily mean annexation and that the country would be given the right to self-determination. He said that the Polish Legionnaires and the Polish Government would guarantee freedom for the Church and would equally defend the liberty of all nations. I replied that I would not interfere in politics, but that when the Legionnaires arrived, we the clergy would concern ourselves with the salvation of their souls as with those of other people. I have always preached to the people on our need for unity, love, and brotherhood. That is my task as pastor. December 31 I think it was on December 29th that Father Purickis sent a telegram in the name of the Lithuanian Mission in Berlin stating that the Germans would not hand Vilnius over to the Bolsheviks or the Poles and that I should reassure the people; also, that the Allies recognize the Lithuanian Council and that it will receive a loan of 100 million [marks]. I forwarded the telegram to the Lithuanian Council, suggesting that they publish it in their own name rather than in mine. I have already been informed that the last passenger train will leave Vilnius on January 2nd at 12 o’clock and that all the Germans are getting out. The Lithuanian ministers and their staffs are also moving out, but the Lithuanian institutions will remain. I preached a sermon to mark the end of the year. 1 A Christmas custom observed by both Lithuanians and Poles. At the Christmas Eve supper those gath- ered together share with each other pieces of wafer, which is like Communion bread but not consecrated, wish- ing each other God’s blessings at Christmas and during the coming year.