Juozas Montvila

Juozas Montvila (also anglicized as Joseph Mantvila; 3 January 1885 – 15 April 1912) was a Lithuanian Catholic priest who was a passenger of the Titanic during its sinking.

Biography Early life and career Juozas Montvila was born on 3 January 1885 in as the son of Kazys Montvila and Magdalena Montvilienė née Karalevičiūtė. The family later moved to , where they bought a farm. Montvila was baptized in Marijampolė and received his First Communion there. Montvila's parents educated their children privately at home with secret in-home tutors called daraktoriai. Montvila was educated by his grandfather Martynas Karalevičius. Montvila attended the primary school in Marijampolė, and later attended the Marijampolė Gymnasium.

After graduating, Montvila began studying at the Sejny Priest Seminary in 1903. Due to the seminary's strictness, Montvila briefly left the seminary. Montvila was ordained as a priest in Warsaw on 22 March 1908,

Emigration Montvila wished to travel abroad due to his realization that he most likely wouldn't have been accepted back into Lithuania for pastoral work. Montvila planned on meeting his brother Petras in the United States. Montvila first arrived in London on 20 March 1912, Montvila also carried Antanas Juška's collection of Lithuanian folk songs, which he hoped to publish in the United States. and offering solace to fellow travelers. Montvila eventually died and his body sank. His body was never identified.

His parents and grandparents received a grant of 130 GBP from the Titanic Relief Fund.

Remembrance In 1977, Petras Montvila released a book about the life of his brother. A commemorative medal was made in 1992 with the funds of Andrius Montvila. A monumental rock was built in his home village. Furthermore, Montvila was considered for beatification.