Sisters, from the Galician town of Stanislav (Ukraine) came to Prešov, Slovakia on March 19, 1922. There were five of them. They were invited by the Vicar General Rev. Dr. Mikuláš Rusnák. With the help of Bishops Gojdič, OSBM and Dionýz Nyáradi, the Sisters opened a dormitory for girls already in November. Initially, the dormitory and the monastery were on the premises of the Chancery. In 1929, the Prešov Eparchy gave the Sisters a new house with a smaller park and garden on Francisciho Street, where they moved the dormitory and the monastery.
The community of Sisters gradually grew. Thus in 1938 the Sisters could come to Medzilaborce, in 1945 to Sečovce and after the end of World War II to Svidník and Stropkov. The Basilian Sisters devoted themselves to the education of children and youth.
Mother Magdaléna Humenjuk OSBM very much wanted the Basilian sisters to work among Slovak-speaking Greek Catholics. On September 19, 1945, she sent the first three Sisters to Sečovce: Sr. Pavlína Vasilková, OSBM, Sr. Pachomia Petríková OSBM and Sr. Jozafáta Hámorská OSBM. They taught for the bourgeois and in kindergarten schools. The youth liked to come to the convent to visit the sisters. The sisters spent time with them. They taught them to sing church songs, sew on a sewing machine, embroider handicrafts, etc. The Basilian Fathers from Trebišov were helpful to the Sisters in everything.
When the Sisters came to Sečovce, they brought a cross with them for the chapel. Fr. Polykarp Oleár, OSBM welcomed them with the words: “Are you carrying a cross?” You will have enough crosses in your life.” His prophetic words began to be fulfilled in a short time. In 1950, the political situation worsened day by day. Difficult times began for the Greek Catholic Church and especially for religious orders. At noon on August 30, 1950, the police occupied the monastery, loaded the Sisters onto a truck and took them to an unknown place in the evening. A few days later, they found themselves in Kostolna near Trenčín where many Sisters from teaching orders were already concentrated. After a year, they were exported to the Czech Republic and moved from place to place.
The Sisters worked under harsh conditions in factories processing linen, cotton and making stockings. In 1954, the political regime transferred them to the Social Welfare Institute for Oligophrenic Women in Svitavy.
During Dubček’s era (1968-1969), many young girls from Slovakia decided to dedicate their lives to God, and thus the number of Basilian Sisters doubled in the Czech Republic. Two communities were formed. The first six Sisters worked in a Nursing Home in Smilkovo, Czech Republic near Benešovo and later in a Charity Home near Prague. The second community of eight Sisters continued to work with mentally ill women in Svitavy. Life for the Sisters was difficult, both mentally and physically. They were constantly under the control of the communist regime.
Despite the difficult period and the communists’ efforts to destroy our Church and faith in God, the Sisters bravely endured the adversity of the times and preserved their faith in God and the Catholic Church.
After the “Velvet Revolution” on November 17, 1989, the communist regime fell, and the expected religious freedom arrived. The Sisters could return to their native Slovakia.
The Sisters from Mukařov, Czech Republic near Prague were the first to return. It was May 30, 1990. With the consent of Bishop Ján Hirka and parish priest Rev. Milan Tomáš, they settled in Trebišov. The faithful helped them to renovate the house they bought. They then began apostolic work in the parish.
The community of Sisters from Svitavy, Czech Republic came to Sečovce, Slovakia in stages at the invitation of their spiritual Father Pavel Tirpak. On January 20, 1991, two Sisters arrived and started teaching religion in schools. More sisters arrived in the first half of May, and the last group arrived on June 6, 1991. The faithful were very happy with the return of the Sisters and helped them in furnishing the purchased house.
It was also a time of spiritual renewal of religious life and new formation of the Sisters. Our Basilian Sisters from the USA helped us to write our Directories.
Our Vice Province was first founded by the General Curia as a Delegature of St. Cyril and Methodius on May 8, 1994. On January 30, 2001, it was elevated to the Vice-Province of St. Cyril and Methodius.
Currently, the Sisters live in communities in Bratislava, Trebišov, Vranov nad Topľou and Sečovce, where we have the Mother House.
Ministries
Prayer
The primary invaluable activity of the Sisters is prayer. Prayer – dialogue with God – is the source of spiritual strength and inner peace. Prayer helps us to discern God’s will. It stimulates the love of neighbor and disposes one to forgive. In prayer our eyes are opened to the needs of others and the heart responds with generosity and service. Prayer helps us to endure trials patiently. It increases our zeal for goodness and peace.
Sisters of the Province pray the Divine Office daily. Besides private prayers, those who are not actively involved in apostolates also pray the Hours or recite Psalms for the various intentions of the Church, the Order, the needs of the world and people. Many people often come to the monastery, confide their troubles and ask for prayers. At the monastery, Divine Liturgies are offered for their intentions. Each month, Sisters gather together with lay people, to pray before the Blessed Sacrament for peace in the world.
Education and teaching
Sisters are engaged in educating and teaching, mainly in Presov at Saint Basil the Great High School and boarding facility for their students. At the high school, Sisters educate students, the future nurses, in the spirit of Christian morality. Attached to the school are, Blessed Pavel Gojdych, OSBM, School of Health Preservation and Social Work. For the high school and the faculty staff Sisters provide a family atmosphere of freedom, compassion, hospitality and ecumenism.
Catechization and religious upbringing – Sisters regularly teach religion in public schools and catechize in parish schools.
Pastoral Work with Youth
Spiritual Renewal Days – For students of higher studies and high schools, Sisters organize days of spiritual renewal, conducted by guest priests. Duration of spiritual renewal is from one to several days.
Youth Encounters – Sisters organize encounters for children and youth at the parishes. Their activities, among others, include working to help poor children in third world countries by receiving donation through caroling at Christmas time. The Sisters also prepare stage programs for various occasions, visit the sick and elderly.
Summer Camps “Basiliada”- In the Summer, Sisters organize and conduct summer camps for children (from the age of 6 to 15). During this time of relaxation amid nature, Sisters nurture the youth in a Christian spirit. Daily activities include prayer, trips, excursions, games, competitions, Bible study, singing, group living with others of the same age and nature appreciation.
Apostolate Among the Romi – Sisters are actively involved in the education of the Romi. They teach at the Preschool for Children, catechize and organize pilgrimages, summer camps and trips for children. Days of renewal for girls and encounters for Romi youth are planned. Sisters prepare the Romi children for the sacraments of Reconciliation, Holy Communion and Confirmation. Sewing, cooking and baking courses are offered for teenagers and adults.
Pastoral Work with Adults
In various monasteries in cooperation with the Eparchial clergy or under the direction of the Basilian Fathers, Sisters conduct monthly one-day encounters for women or a general encounter and adult catechesis. Once a month Sisters organize prayer meetings.
Ministry to the Sick
Sisters are engaged in nursing in a public hospital. Sisters attend to the elderly and sick Sisters and priests, also visit the sick, bring them food and help them with various needs. During vacation, Sisters work in a nursing home in Vienna, Austria, where they care for the elderly and sick.
Ecclesial Arts
Iconography – Sisters write a variety of icons based on different themes. The beautiful icons and iconostasis in the Sisters’ chapels in Presov and Bardejov are written by Sisters.
Ecclesial Sewing – Besides writing icons, Sisters sew church vestments for Liturgical services, make banners for churches, altar linens and other items for use during liturgical services.
Participation in the Life of the Church and Society
Sisters also work in other areas of need, in ecclesial offices, and collaborate with various social and charitable organizations. Many Sisters are augmenting their studies, to prepare themselves for their ministry to the Church and God’s people competently.