George Matulaitis Journal

not pay any attention to us and let us rest in peace.” We ought to remember these words. Whoever begins to work zealously for God and for the Church will never lack trials and even persecution. The way in which the world regards us and acts towards us should be an indication of whether we are truly following in the footsteps of Christ. We must not lose heart because of difficulties and persecutions, but rather rejoice and praise God for having found us worthy to suffer a little for His name and for His holy Church. If we are the object of detrac- tions, personal attacks, and accusations, we should be very careful to examine our lives to make sure that we have not done anything wrong and then make an effort to lead a more perfect life, to perform our tasks with even greater zeal, never giving way to sloth or neglect. Lord, grant that the violence and fury of the evil spirit, the persecution and ridicule of the corrupt world may never cause us to fal- ter or be deflected from the way of truth nor intimidate us to give up the work we have begun for Your greater glory or dampen the fire of our zeal. As the enemies of Your holy Name, Lord, grow bolder and as our many hardships, trials, persecutions and snares and traps set for us increase, may our zeal, fortitude, wisdom, and initiative as well as our daring and perseverance grow and become ever stronger. May our motto be this: “There is nothing I cannot master with the help of the One who gives me strength” (Phil 4:13). In the midst of all the storms the evil spirit and the corrupt world may raise against us, give us the grace, Lord, to remain unwaveringly constant and peaceful so that the more we are oppressed and attacked, the more closely we may cling to your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, and the greater may be the trust with which we surrender to the protection of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. February 13 Neither our work, nor our institutions will prosper unless we ground them in the virtue of humility. We will make better progress and achieve greater success when we proceed with humility, beginning our work modestly and without fanfare. Then, in time, it will grow as we nurture it carefully and, like a seed, reach full maturity. 80