SLOVAKIA, Dr. Maria Slivkova. On the 18^th of December of 2005 ten Pilgrim MTA’s were blessed in the Original Shrine for Slovakia. During the night of the Covenant Holy Mass, when the priest commissioned the pictures to Dr. Maria Slvkova with the words "She is the great Missionary", she softly, but full of conviction, responded "She will work miracles". Today there are 25 Pilgrim MTA’s in Eastern Slovakia, in the city of Presov and its surroundings, that visit 250 families.

Slovakia is post communist country (it is one of the two countries that formed the old part of Czechoslovakia) in central Europe, ruled by a democratic system since the 18^th of November of 1989. Since the 1^st of May 2004 it is part of European Union. It has six million inhabitants, of which 80% profess to be Christians, the majority Catholic. The Catholic Church was very much persecuted during the communist regime. During this era – which lasted forty years – several saints emerged: Monsignor Gojdic, Bishop, Monsignor Hopko, Auxiliary Bishop, Father Trcka, religious, the young Sister Zdenka, religious…who were assassinated in jail. With the fall of the Communist regime the religious life in Slovakia was restored to normal. Catholic schools were re-opened and in all the elementary and secondary schools –whether state or private – religion is a required course. Many religious communities were again established, and even some new ones were established.

Schoenstatt in Slovakia

The Schoenstatt Movement contributed a totally new spirituality to Slovakia. Today there are three persons who belong to the secular Institutes of Schoenstatt: two Sisters of Mary who work in the Czech Province and a Lady of Schoenstatt, Maria Slivkova, who lives in the city of Presov, in eastern Slovakia. In 2002 five groups of families who receive the Pilgrim MTA were formed, with a total of 50 persons. After one year the Pilgrim MTA had already visited 100 families. On the 18^th of October of 2005 five more Pilgrim MTA’s were commissioned. On the 18^th of each month Holy Mass is celebrated in the three parishes where the Schoenstatt people belong. Sometimes the Holy Mass is also celebrated on the 18^th in the Chapel of the Hospital. Each Holy Mass is always prepared by a different group, the readings, the songs, the petitions, the offerings…

Visit to the Shrine

The missionaries of the Campaign pray ardently for the Church and for the Schoenstatt Movement in Slovakia. The first Fridays of each month they have Adoration from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. which they prepare themselves. They also collaborate with cleaning, with the restoration of holy objects, they visit the sick and those who are alone. With great joy they organized a celebration with food, drinks and tarts. They also went on pilgrimage to one of the Schoenstatt Shrines in Poland, in Rokitnica, and during the last two years they have participated in the October Journey which was held in Varsovia.

There is a need for written material and for priests, but they are not lacking in the desire for Schoenstatt

There are still no Schoenstatt materials in the Slovakian language. Because of this Maria Slivkova, a member of the Institute of Our Lady of Schoenstatt, made two pamphlets for the pilgrims and she translated some writings into Slovakian. The Campaign has been introduced to several priests, especially to the pastors of the areas where there are missionaries. The Catholic Slovakians who are attached to the Campaign (those who have been evangelized!!!) are also asking for spiritual formation, retreats and other religious activities that are impossible to carry out without the presence of priests. The Schoenstatt apostolate in eastern Slovakia urgently needs Schoenstatt priests: everyone prays for this intention with perseverance. They also have the great hope that the Mother Thrice Admirable Queen of Schoenstatt will conquer the youth and the university students in Slovakia.