The Marian Martyrs of Rosica

115 Memoir and their great love for other human beings. Later, when I had returned to Kaunas, the good old woman visited me, bringing beautiful linen cloth and food. After a few months, Father Joseph Jarzebowski, who cared for us, picked me up and took me to Gielgudyszki on the Niemen River. We, the wanderers, were received by the pastor, Fr. Augustajtis, a relative of Bishop Buczys, the Superior General of the Marians. These were good times, but I had to return to my studies. At Christmas, I went to Kaunas. Happy times don't last long. This monastery was also confiscated. The seminarians were scattered in town. I found shelter in Lucjanowo, eight kilometers from Kaunas, where I was taken in by a kind Polish family. WAR BREAKS OUT The inexorable moment for the tormenters was close — the war with the Germans. Aweek before war broke out, my friend Boleslaus Jakimowicz was supposed to be ordained a subdea- con. He made his retreat. He invited my host, Mr. Borowski, to the occasion. Mr. Borowski went to Kaunas he came back sad. Boleslaus was not among those consecrated. “What happened?” I asked. “ Maybe you didn't notice him?” Oh, no, Mr. Borowski saw quite well. Boleslaus was really not there. On Saturday he finished his retreat, and also on that same Saturday the communist authorities came to deport him to Russia. Slowly the tragic news unfolded. On the huge city square in Kaunas, several thousand trucks had massed. They had been driven madly all around town, arriving at preselected addresses to pick up the people on their lists for deportation, together with their personal belongings. Mounted loudspeakers had kept playing some popular Georgian tune. I don’t remem- ber the title of this garbage, but each time I hear it I feel revul- sion. People were being taken away, while this fiendishly mawkish Stalinist song was playing. I got more news in Kaunas. I, too, was on a list for deporta- tion. The caretaker was ordered not to let me leave. I prepared