From 9 to 13 April 2025 our community of Pallottine Missionary Sisters in Slovakia in Smižany experienced a General Visitation. We were visited by the General Councilor, Sr Alda Isa Paes, SAC delegated by our Superior General Sr Josephina D’Souza, SAC, who was accompanied by the General secretary Sr. Beata Matuszewska, SAC as a translator. The visitation was opened by Sr. Alda in the community chapel with a prayer to the Holy Spirit, Vespers and the opening speech.
Together we reflected on the reality of community life and apostolate in Slovakia. We also reflected on the message from the last General Chapter ‘Do whatever He tells you’ (Jn 2:3). Our house was transformed into the Cana of Galilee. We were experiencing Lent together by sharing, celebrating and rejoicing at times as well.
During the visitation we had several meetings. The first one was with the Ordinary Bishop of the Spiš diocese Fr. Francis Trstenski in the Spiš Kapitula. Then we had a visit in our house of the Pallottine Fathers: the Parish Priest Vladimir Peklansky, SAC, and the Custodian of the Diocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy Peter Klubert, SAC with whom we closely collaborate.
Our Sisters from Rome had an opportunity to see various aspects of our work and apostolates. Sr. Alda Isa Paes visited the Catholic School in Spišská Nová Ves, where Sr. Paulina Szałek, SAC works as a catechist, and met with the Principal of the school, Mrs. Slavomira Michlikova; she also went to Seniors’ Home in Smiżany, where Sr. Beata Witerska, SAC works as a nurse and had a meeting with the director Ms. Magdalena Pekarczikowa; she paid a visit to the Diocesan Sanctuary of the Divine Mercy, where Sr. Elżbieta Lidzbarska, SAC works as a sacristan, and Sr. Paulina Szałek as an organist and choir conductor.
We made a pilgrimage to Cracow – Łagiewniki – the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy and the tomb of St. Faustyna Kowalska, as well as to our diocesan Basilica on Marianska Mountain in Levoča, which is the oldest and most visited pilgrimage site in Slovakia connected with Marian devotion. On Saturday at the Shrine, we prayed for peace in the world in the spirit of Taize. The evening prayer had been prepared for over a year by Sr. Paulina Szałek together with the choir and musicians from other parish communities.
On Sunday, Sr. Alda Paes concluded the General Visitation with a solemn blessing and prayer through the intercession of St. Vincent Pallotti and Mother of Divine Mercy asking for new vocations in Slovakia.
With greetings, Sr. Beata Witerska – Superior of the community and Sr. Paulina Szałek.
Photos: Sr. Beata Matuszewska, SAC
