George Matulaitis Journal

235 Sir. Since the normal flow of life has stopped, there is not much to write. And finally, if you, Sir, really intend to do some good for the Church and are able to do so, go ahead and do it. We shall be very pleased and God will reward you.” He assured me that the Bolshevik government would most certainly change its behavior toward the Church and would give the Church complete freedom. He could speak some Polish, but asked that he be allowed to speak French or Russian. Since Father Lubianiec said that he preferred Russian, that is the language we used. I could not tell exactly what he wanted from me. Perhaps he had some other plans. This much is clear: he is no Jesuit novice and probably not even a Catholic. Later he appeared elsewhere in the city and spoke to some of the priests, ostensibly looking for me and for Father Lubianiec. When I tried to find out what he had been saying, it appeared that he had said one thing to some people and something else to others. My God, my God, how careful one has to be here. Today at four o’clock in the afternoon I gave a conference to the educated ladies on the topic: “What Is Holiness.” I spoke in Polish. Father Joseph [Vaitkevi ius] will give the rest of the talks, although I may deliver one more myself. March 25 The seminarian Francis Cibulskis, a nationally conscious Lithuanian from Kai iadorys, came to serve Mass. When he entered the seminary, he hardly knew any Polish. If he had, he would probably have signed up as a Pole for fear of being rejected during the examinations. It seems that before the examinations everyone had to state his nationality, and all were of the opinion that Belorussians or Lithuanians are not desired at the seminary unless there is a shortage of Poles. Being aware of this, many Belorussians and Lithuanians sign up as Poles out of fear. While studying at the seminary, he had experienced a good deal of unpleasantness from his fellow seminarians because of his nationality. They kept nagging him for signing up as a Lithuanian although his last name was Polish.