Mečislovo Reinio kūrybos dvasingumas: istorinė įamžinimo apžvalga
Spirituality in the Works of Archbishop Mečislovas Reinys: Historical Overview of Commemoration

Summary/Abstract: Archbishop Mečislovas Reinys (1884-02-03–1953-11-08), God’s Servant, is the personality who has attracted many researchers and whose life has been described in scientific publications and studies. Mečislovas Reinys’ works have been analyzed, they are kept in various national and private archives. For the issue under analysis the most important works are those dealing with M. Reinys’ activities as well as his spiritual and moral works. Talking about Archbishop Mečislovas Reinys, some facts of his life which conditioned spirituality of this person have to be analysed. Attention to and respect for others was emphasized in M. Reinys’ family since his early days. The paper acquaints with the most important dates in his biography works. Information about M. Reinys was scarce in the Soviet Union times, studies on him started after Lithuania regained Independence. Three main periods of studies may be identified: 1. 1988–1994 – dawn of Independence, return of M. Reinys and after his return – educative work; initiator- publicist A. Kudžmaitė. 2. 1994–2003 – commemoration of M. Reinys’ 110th birth anniversary prior to formation of Archbishop Mečislovas Reinys’ commemoration and honor committee and Archbishop Mečislovas Reinys’ fund by Utena Municipality; since 1994 glorification of M. Reinys’ name: educative trend grows to scientific standards, young scientists join, and activities expand geographically. 3. Since 2003 – formation of Archbishop Mečislovas Reinys’ commemoration and honor committee and Archbishop Mečislovas Reinys’ fund – till now (educational, scientific work). The Committee and the fund spread M. Reinys, God’s Servant’s, name, works and ideas: a) helped to know him better as a personality; b) his life, ideas and our prayers (praying for sign experiencing) supplemented the case of Beatification; c) made an important step bringing Archbishop Mečislovas Reinys to honor the Altar alongside with Saint Prince Kazimieras and the Blessed Jurgis Matulaitis; d) actualized M. Reinys’ spiritual heritage; e) invited youth and society to find new and real truths in life; In the last two periods mentioned above, the works of Dr. A. Vasiliauskienė in educational, organizational and scientific fields are very important. (This paper does not mention works published in emigration or the underground). The material presented in this paper proves the hypothesis: M. Reinys’ spirituality, which inspires other people witnesses his, God’s Servant’s intended Blessed, makes influence on a person’s soul by his life, ideas, earnest encouragement to work in all spheres of activities.

• Details
• Contents