Cathedral Square – beatification ceremony venue, Vilnius

Katedros a. 1, Vilnius

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The Archbishop Teofilius Matulionis was declared the Blessed One in the Cathedral Square in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, on 25 June 2017. The celebrations were led by Cardinal Angelo Amato, Prefect of the Congregation for the Annunciation, and concelebrated about 50 cardinals, archbishops and bishops, about half a thousand priests. After the Mass, the President of the Republic of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė delivered a speech. Teofilius Matulionis is the first Lithuanian martyr of the Soviet regime to be declared the Blessed One. Teofilius Matulionis was a twentieth-century Catholic clergyman, having served as a bishop in Russia and Lithuania. For his faithfulness to the Catholic Church, his faith, his truth, and his ministerial servitude, the Archbishop Teofilius Matulionis was sentenced three times and spent nearly sixteen years in Soviet prisons and forced labour camps. Pope Pius XI has said of him: “Honour to the Lithuanian people who have given such a hero”. Approximately three tens of thousands of people attended the Beatification Mass. Participants of Catholic Lithuanian Youth Days formed a significant part there. Pilgrims were received not only from neighbouring countries: Latvia, Poland, Russia, Belarus, but also from the USA, Canada and Austria. The Blessed Teofilius will be mentioned in the liturgical calendar on June 14. It is celebrated in Lithuania as Day of Mourning and Hope. On this day, in 1941, the Soviet Union began mass deportations of residents to Siberia. Many politicians, intellectuals and farmers were exiled. The Conference of Lithuanian Bishops and the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania have designated the year 2017 as the Year of Archbishop Teofilius Matulionis.

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  • The Great Route

    31 objects

    On this path, you will discover all the places related to the life, pastoral activity, suffering and death of Blessed Teofilius Matulionis in Lithuania. Travelling around all these places will give you an even better insight into the personality of Blessed Teofilius, the beauty of Lithuania and the richness of its history.

  • The Path of Kaišiadorys region

    32 objects

    Kaišiadorys region is rich in spiritual heritage and beauty. The personalities who left extraordinary traces in the history of Lithuania were born and lived, worked and prayed there. In Kaišiadorys, we can find especial stops for prayer and spiritual life. We invite you to travel this path - to see the beauty and richness of our homeland Lithuania and Christian life.

  • The Path of Nation Suffering and Struggle

    16 objects

    In the 20th century, Lithuania suffered two particularly brutal occupations and wars, which claimed many victims but did not suppress the desire for freedom. Blessed Teofilius and other fighters sacrificed their lives on the altar of Lithuanian freedom. On this path, we invite you to remember and visit the places of the suffering of freedom fighters of the Lithuanian nation, to find out how much has been suffered and given for our freedom.

  • The Path of Salvation of the Dying

    14 objects

    In the rampage of the brutal genocide of the Jews, during the Nazi occupation, Bishop Teofilius Matulionis, in cooperation with Benedictine nuns, helped save the Jews. On this path, we invite you to visit Jewish heritage sites in the Kaišiadorys region, to meet more heroic personalities who contributed to the rescue of the Jews, to see where the Blessed Teofilius and the Benedictine sisters were hiding a little Jewish girl who later became a world-famous pianist.

  • The Path of the Blessed Teofilius Matulionis Spirituality

    17 objects

    In the twentieth century, the activities of the Blessed Teofilius Matulionis left a strong print in the spread of Christian faith and piety in Lithuania. Not only did he fight for the rights of the faithful; he was also a faith enhancer, founder of adoration of the St. Sacrament, he spread devotion to the Blessed One Jesus Heart, refreshed the temperance movement, etc. On this path, we invite you to visit places related to the spirituality and pastoral activity of the Blessed Teofilius.

  • The Places of Respect and Piety of the Blessed Teofilius Matulionis

    26 objects

    When the Blessed Teofilius Matulionis was still alive, he was considered a legend. The distinctiveness of the personality was recognized not only by friends but also by those who persecuted him. Even Soviet oppression could not erase the traces of Teofilius’s life - his life and suffering inspired many to fight for freedom. On this path, you will discover works of art, museums, institutions, expositions, and places that each peculiarly conveys the life of Blessed Teofilius.

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