George Matulaitis Journal

1919 Polish “Samoobrona” (Self Defense) attempt to take Vilnius, but are unsuccessful. Red Army invades the city and a Communist gov- ernment stays in power four months. Difficult relations between civil and church authorities. In April, Polish Army takes over Vilnius. Matulaitis goes to Warsaw to consult with Msgr. Ratti. 1920 Archbishop Ratti, nuncio to Poland and apostolic visitor to the Baltic States, makes an official visit to Vilnius, accompanied by Marshal Pi = sudski. Bishop Matulaitis continues visiting the parish- es of his farflung diocese. In October, the Polish army under General ÷ eligowski occupies Vilnius, which remains under Polish rule until 1939. 1922 Canon Joseph Kukta is forced to leave Vilnius; Matulaitis appoints him administrator of that part of the diocese that lies within the bor- ders of Lithuania. Attends a bishops’ conference in Cz " stochowa. 1923 Consecrates Michalkiewicz as auxiliary bishop. In June makes his ad limina visit to Rome. The Marian General Chapter convenes in Danzig; Matulaitis reelected superior general. Marian delegates from Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, and the USA participate in this Chapter. 1924 A Marian mission had already been founded in Druja, a Byelorussian district within the diocese of Vilnius. Then Bishop Matulaitis also establishes a religious community for women, the Servants of Jesus in the Eucharist. 1925 Submits his resignation to Pope Pius XI in June; receives confir- mation from Rome July 14. On the 3rd of August he hands over the administration of the diocese of Vilnius to the Chapter and leaves for Rome. Received by the Pope in a special audience August 13th. Appointed titular archbishop of Adulia on September 1 and on December 7, apostolic visitator to Lithuania. Returns to live in Kaunas. 1926 Completes project for the establishment of the ecclesiastical province of Lithuania and in March submits it to the Pope. The province is officially established by the papal bull “Lituanorum gente” on April 4, Easter Sunday. The following day the Pope appoints bishops for the five new dioceses. They are consecrated in the Kaunas cathedral in April and May. Archbishop Matulaitis 27