George Matulaitis Journal

44 Should we do nothing at all, continually bowing and scraping before all kinds of unjust laws and demands perpetrated by the enemies of the Church? Must we surrender our most precious ideals and rot somewhere, quaking with fear? If we behave thus, eventually we will see the day when we will be forbidden even to remain Catholics. No, absolutely not! We must press forward toward our goal boldly and courageously, following the path God has shown us and going wherever the Spirit of God leads us, undeterred by difficulties and refusing to be intimidated. If we are filled with the Spirit of God, we are bound to triumph in the long run. No one can bind the Spirit, restrain it within prison walls, or confine it in exile. The Spirit will break out of every confinement, it will surge up everywhere. Enkindle our hearts, Lord, with the fire of Your love! Give us Your Holy Spirit so that, having truly renounced all things, we may dedicate ourselves fully to Your glory and to that of Your Church. Various destructive organizations have spread throughout the world and, having burrowed underground to the very foundations of the Church and of society, do their pernicious work in secret. Are we going to stand by helplessly and passively watch it happen? No! In place of these evil organizations and their destructive activities we must build up our Catholic organizations and continue to do the work of the Church. May the early Christians be our guides and examples. O you heroes of the Christian faith and holy warriors who, with the help of Christ, shed your blood so that the Church would grow, intercede for us that we may be given the courage and daring to follow in your footsteps! October 27 Once we have left the world and entered religious life, what should be our badge of distinction?—That we do not seek ourselves but only Jesus Christ. 1 We are not here for our own advantage—to use the community to fulfill our own will or to achieve some personal or national goal or to see that some pet project or dream of ours be real- ized; our sole concern must be how to please God more, what we 1 “Non quae sua sunt, sed quae Jesu Christi, quaerant.” The original is in Latin and may be a quotation.