George Matulaitis Journal

between them the courses taught by Father Reinys, 1 who has been imprisoned by the Bolsheviks, but this proved too much for them, especially since Father Kraujalis has also taken on algebra and cosmography. In the meantime, I assigned Father Skruodys, who is presently recuperating in Vilnius, to teach the Lithuanian language, and I also took the two courses on theodicy from Father Puciata and gave them to Father Vaitkevi ius. Up to now, the seminarians have wasted a great deal of time because they were not getting all their courses. Their room and board is very expensive right now and besides, the days are flying by irretrievably. Father Puciata is a good-man, a learned priest. He is gifted and a good lecturer, but it turns out without much willpower. He misses many of his lectures and is often late. Now, taking advantage of the rumors that the Bolsheviks are going to arrest quite a few priests, he has ostensibly gone into hiding and has stopped coming to the seminary. I called him in and told him that if he found it too difficult to to go on teaching, he could give at least the philosophy course to Father Vaitkevi ius. He then apologized for shirking his duties. I warned him not to miss classes. Now Father Puciata comes to all his lectures. I wonder how long that will last? Finally, the seminarians have all their courses and will not be wasting precious time. Many of them are still unable to come back after their Christmas break, especially from the areas around Balstogeæ and Gardinas, which are occupied by the Legionnaires and the Germans. Some of them, afraid of being drafted into the Bolshevik army, obtained the rector’s permission to go to that part of Lithuania which is governed by the Lithuanian Council. And so, with God’s help, I have settled at least some problems about the lectures at the seminary. I have heard that lack of order and discipline is evident, but have not yet had a chance to investigate this. I sent Father Vaitkevi ius to teach at the seminary not only because there was no one else to send, but also so he would become familiar with the situation from the inside and afterwards help me make the needed 217 1 He taught various philosophy courses.