Blessed Jurgis Matulaitis (1871-1927)

Today marks the death of Blessed Jurgis Matulaitis (1871-1927), Bishop and founder of three religious communities. Born in Lithuania, he joined the Marian Fathers and was ordained in 1898. He earned a doctorate in Theology at the University of Fribourg and was a theology professor until he was named Bishop of Vilnius, Lithuania, in 1918. A noted preacher and spiritual director, he founded the Congregation of Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, the Sisters Servants of the Jesus in the Eucharist, and the Handmaids of Jesus in the Eucharist. He resigned from his diocese in 1925 and was later assigned by the Vatican to establish diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Lithuania. He was beatified in 1987.