AAS 80 - La Santa Sede

36 Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale
there, especially to those who suffer for reasons of religious conscience.
In this way the truth of the words of Saint Paul will increasingly
become a part of their spiritual expérience : "For as we share abun-
dantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly
in comfort too". 3 They look to you with confidence, knowing that they
are sustained by your prayer.
3. Both you and they are undoubtedly fìlled with the special joy
at the thought of the Béatification tomorrow of Archbishop Jurgis
Matulaitis, an intrepid witness of the faith of your forefathers. As a
valiant servant of God he followed Christ along the path of the evan-
gelical counsels, living with ardent love his religious consécration and
his dedication to the service of his fellow men and women, with a
burning desire to lead them to salvation in Christ Jesus. He li ved in
difficult circumstances, but far from feeling discouraged he used his
many talents to bring forth fruits of holiness in himself and in others,
becoming all things to ali that he might save ali. 4
Archbishop Matulaitis became the spiritual father of many sons
and daughters. I express greetings to the Marian Fathers présent
here, and to the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. With you ali,
my thoughts go to the members of your Congrégations in the homeland.
They too rejoice at this moment which, as it were, they are living in
spiritual communion with us, and we with them.
The memory of Archbishop Jurgis Matulaitis stands before the
présent generation of Lithuanian young people as a light to guide their
steps in knowing and loving the character of their own people. Above
ali he speaks to them of Christ, the Lord of hi story, the leader of our
souls. To some of you young people his example may help to answer
your questons regarding the meaning and direction to give to your
li ves. It is my heartfelt prayer that through the intercession of Arch­
bishop Jurgis many of you will respond to the cali to follow Jesus in
the priesthood or in the religious life. In this way you will become
witnesses of evangelical charity in the service of your fellow human
beings, and through your lives and work the Gospel of Jesus Christ
and the wonderful love of God will be proclaimed to the future
générations.
3 2 Cor 1:5.
4 Of. / Cor 9:22.