George Matulaitis Journal

77 On the other hand, we should try to give as much of our time as we can to serve the spiritual needs of young men, both in villages and in cities, especially those attending high schools and university. We should also be willing to work with adult men, especially the educated, with their societies and organizations. If we are asked to conduct a retreat for priests or seminarians, we ought to lay everything aside and respond immediately. We should also willingly undertake the spiritual direction of priests whenever requested to do so. St. Ignatius was most charitable in his efforts to justify his enemies; he forgave them everything and even returned good for evil. But, if need be, he was perfectly capable of defending his good name and protecting his rights. Especially those of us who are working for the good of others in public life must be able to protect our good name and also to guard our rights when the greater glory of God and the welfare of souls requires it. A lamp will not burn without oil. The preacher of the Gospel will not be the light of the world nor a spiritual force that attracts people to Christ, leads them in battle for the Church, encourages them in good works unless his own heart glows with the fire of true zeal, unless he himself is an example of goodness and holiness. We must study the enemies of the Church and become familiar with their goals, desires, plans, methods, and means of warfare. Then, after considerable thought and reflection, we should courageously enter the conflict and become active wherever the enemy is most numerous and defend those positions which are most under attack. In my opinion, the assaults of the enemy on our faith and on the Church, their calumnies, distortions, and lies, etc., must never be allowed to continue unrefuted; they must be proven false and misleading. But this course of action is to be taken not to humiliate our enemies, but rather so that the truth may gain the upper hand and even our enemies may become aware of it, realize their error, and return to God. Our objective should be the salvation of the souls of our ene- mies and not their humiliation, ridicule, or ignominious defeat. February 6 The members of our own Community and all those who intend to work with us should always show themselves true Catholics opposed to false doctrine and erroneous opinions, but never attack persons or