George Matulaitis Journal

280 November 25 Three sisters made their religious profession at the Benedictine convent of St. Catherine. I celebrated solemn Mass and gave the sisters a sermon. December 1 This is the anniversary of my consecration as Bishop. Monsignor Michalkiewicz celebrated Mass. After Mass some representatives of the clergy came to congratulate me. It has been a difficult and troublesome year. The normal flow of life has been constantly disrupted and disordered. The situation is confused, and there are continual complications. December 8 Today is the anniversary of my installation. I celebrated Mass and preached a sermon. This year has been one of constant suffering, a year of the cross. Glory be to God! O Blessed Virgin Mary of the Immaculate Conception, protect me and the diocese! These days I have been trying to organize a chancery and have been conferring with some reliable priests. I intended to appoint Father Ellert as chancellor, but it turned out that I could not do so. He is accused of having collaborated with the Russian authorities during the Czarist regime and of having asked certain officials that he be appointed bishop. It is unfortunate that this negative opinion stands in the way of his appointment, since he is an able man and would certainly have put the chancery in order. Even his enemies admit this. However, I shall have to look for another chancellor. December 13 I called the Chapter together. The Polish Provisional Government has issued regulations for the schools and wants to take the seminaries under its supervision—at least in part. These regulations are totally untenable, much like those passed by the Russians. We cannot accept them. I decided to ignore them. If the government starts to enforce them, then we can protest. In the meantime, it will be