The Slovak Province has also missioned sisters to the Czech Republic and Ukraine.
Mary Ward established a house in Pressburg, now Bratislava, in 1628 with the intention of establishing a school for girls. Just a few years later the institute was suppressed and the sisters departed. Not until 1882 was another foundation made this time in Prešov. From here other communities were founded including Bratislava. The Slovak Province was set up in April 1941.
During the communist period the sisters were restricted in their work, their training and their freedom of movement. Those who joined the CJ did so as ‘underground sisters’. In the period from 1968 till 1973 it was possible to join the CJ officially, but then restrictions were re-imposed. After 1990 and the collapse of communism membership of the province grew rapidly. Today the sisters of the Slovak Province are in ministry in the Czech Republic and the Ukraine.
Some of the sisters teach in schools and at university. Others are involved in pastoral work, health care, social work, spiritual accompaniment and spiritual exercises.
To know more, you can visit their web: https://www.congregatiojesu.com/
We are an international multicultural congregation of around 1,800 sisters present in more than 40 countries around the globe. Founded in 1609 by the Venerable Mary Ward, we are a group of unenclosed apostolic religious women, rooted in the Ignatian Spirituality.
We are working in different areas and projects – not out of ourselves, but because we allow ourselves to be sent by God. We form our sisters to be mobile and available, willing to go wherever they are sent. We expect them to strive, like Mary Ward, to have that inner freedom to respond to the call to leave all and follow Christ with passion and compassion.
“Vocation” – a word that tastes of MORE, of what Saint Ignatius of Loyola called “THE MAGIS”: Longing, meaning, fullness of life, a task and the experience of being needed. It sounds like someone who is calling me personally and with whom I can give my life a unique shape.
People all over the world are inspired and enthusiastic about Mary Ward and her way of following Jesus. There are different ways to join our network and become part of the wider Mary Ward Family.
Mary Ward once said: “I listened to God’s deep dream for me and felt a longing to respond.”
In this spirit, we invite you to pray with us. We offer a variety of prayers and material for reflection.
