George Matulaitis Journal

My friend Canon Kukta 1 helped me a great deal: he gave me some things that I needed for the house and managed to buy or procure what- ever else was required. His was a truly brotherly heart. On my leaving Marijampole, the Marians also took care of my needs. Father Reklaitis and later Father Dvaranauskas came up here to help me get settled. Also, the Superior of the Sisters of the Poor 2 helped me organize my household as much as she could. My workload was heavy, and I had many things to take care of. I often had to give speeches. I became worn out and exhausted. I could not sleep nights. But I was able to pray a great deal; God visited me with especial- ly generous graces, comforted and strengthened me. How good is the Lord! Even if He sends crosses, He makes them sweet and bearable. Lord, how I love you! Punish and chastise me for my sins here on earth, only grant me your grace that I might love you more and more. I had promised to serve everyone equally, regardless of how many difficulties I had to face. Help me be faithful to my resolutions, O God! On the evening of January 5th, small groups of Polish Legionnaires were strolling through the streets singing patriotic songs in Polish. They made a good deal of noise before they left, showing off to the people. Around eight o’clock in the evening gunfire could be heard in the city not far from my house, probably in Bernardine Street. At eight p.m. the Bolsheviks took the city. The Legionnaires retreated to Gardinas. Before noon that same day, I had already spoken words of warning to a serious and level-headed Polish priest: “If the Legionnaires cannot hold out, their adventure will have unfortunate consequences and, clearly, they will have to retreat.” “How can that be?” asked the priest. “General Klinger 3 is a serious and intelligent person. He would not have begun such a campaign if there were no realistic hope of victory. It is true that the Legionnaires 172 1 Juozapas Kukta was an old resident of Vilnius; he had completed his Seminary training here in 1895. After ordination in St. Petersburg where he studied with Matulaitis, he returned to work in Vilnius. His first appointment was to the Gate of Dawn parish. 2 This was the community recently founded by Matulaitis, with its Motherhouse in Marijampole. As its first superior he had appointed one of the first sisters to join, Sister Petronele Uogintas (1885-1945). 3 Zygmunt Klinger had been appointed by P i= sudski as Chief of Staff for the Legionnaires in Vilnius. He had drawn up a plan for the defense of the city, but apparently General Wejtko disagreed with it. At any rate, the Polish leaders seriously underestimated the capability of the Red Army.