Ignas Stanevičius

Vilnius University

Reflections of the Daily Lives of Lithuanian Émigré Catholic Priests in Their Diaries in the Second Half of the 20th Century

After World War Two, about 25% of Lithuanian priests and three ecclesiastical leaders left Lithuania. This wave of émigré clergy, unlike the earlier ones, was marked by its intellectual caliber: many had completed higher education, engaged in cultural work, and pursued academic careers in addition to their pastoral roles in Lithuania. Insights into their contributions to culture and pastoral care – such as church construction, sermons, and community events – are mostly preserved in émigré publications and their own writings or magazine interviews. However, the understanding of their personal interests and inner thoughts requires a closer examination of egodocuments. Diaries, in particular, reveal daily challenges and intimate reflections, offering a level of personal insight unmatched by other documents, irrespective of the writer’s relationship with the reader. Diaries invite readers into the author’s environment, capturing routines, habits, and relationships with laypeople.

This paper examines three unpublished diaries of notable émigré priest-scholars: Fr. Stasys Yla, Fr. Rapolas Krasauskas, and Fr. Paulius Rabikauskas. This presentation analyzes the recurring writing trends, structure, and memory functions within these texts. Through their personal reflections, the diaries can help to reveal the contours of their intellectual and spiritual lives, while also painting rich self-portraits that illuminate both their private and public dimensions.