George Matulaitis Journal

toward them. Wherever and whenever possible I spoke in praise of the good that I had experienced in Poland and among the Polish people. May the Lord bless them all and bestow His goodness on them. After all, the injuries that I suffered were not the work of the Polish people, but rather the result of the politics of certain parties. I prayed for them too and resolved to keep praying for them with all my heart. August 21 I said good-bye to the Resurrectionist Fathers and moved in with the Benedictines near the Basilica of St. Paul to make my retreat. I had been longing to make one. I felt an urgent need to take care of certain matters of conscience and to lay the foundation for a new life. August 21-30 My retreat went well. I put my conscience in order and was at peace. I received many graces from God. It was quiet. The Benedictines gave such a beautiful example of fervent and devout religious life. I made an effort to absorb more of the spirit of St. Benedict. My resolutions are as follows: 1) To be ever more thankful to God for all crosses and blessings; to love God more fervently and more intensely; to try to remain in the closest union with God and to trust His Providence completely. O Lord, how good You are! The paths along which You lead us are miraculous. Thank You for everything. Blessed Virgin Mary of the Immaculate Conception, help me to love God! 2) Except for periods of rest, to take care to make the best use of my time—for prayer or for work. Remember that you have come to Rome to learn to live a truly holy religious life. Here in Rome it is especially fitting to work even harder for the glory of God and for the good of the Church. 3) To finish revising the Marian Constitutions and to work on the Instructions as much as I can; to found our own house here in Rome. 4) To devote all my strength, as much as possible, to the Congregation; to seek perfection myself and to help others walk along the way of perfection. 334