SMR Presence in Hungary-Part 2
World War II (1938-1945)
The sisters were able to continue their community life and apostolic activities until 1944. On 19 March 1944, Budapest was occupied by the Germans and threatened by Russian warplanes. The community moved into the cellars of the house and sheltered refugees, mainly of Jewish origin. In January 1945, part of the house and the church were destroyed. Budapest fell to the Russians. Thanks to the strength of the community and especially to the vigour of their superior, Sr. Sulek Juliana, they were able to stay in place and continue the worship.
In 1948, they decided to send a group of novices to Belgium to continue their formation. The remaining sisters continued their life in a context of increasing difficulties.
Period of Silence (1950-1989)
For forty years, the sisters who had stayed in Hungary remained faithful to their vocation, living among the world without being part of it. Their contacts with the congregation were paralysed or at least very limited. They suffered from the same vicissitudes of the country, especially from a great lack of communication with the rest of the world.
In 1950, the sisters of the two communities were dispersed within a few months of each other and forced to live as lay people. Some were able to join their families, others were hosted by friends or acquaintances. Some 12,000 religious were left homeless, without work and without resources. The Church and religious within the Church created the "Solidarity" cooperative which provided work for many religious, including our sisters.
The deceased sisters have left testimonies of this painful and fruitful period for their lives, the congregation and the whole church. Much will remain hidden forever, but the fidelity of the sisters, sustained by their personal choice but also bound and assisted by the wisdom of their last superior before the dispersion, Sr. Sulek Juliana (Mary of St. Elenk), is evident. The meeting and sharing allowed them to remain in faith and vocation. God was faithful.
1989-2022
With the fall of the Berlin Wall, a new era began, relations with the "other Europe" were re-established. And as far as our congregation is concerned, this is "good news": indeed, in November 1990, a new shoot emerges, a new community opens in Vác. The Eucharist on the inauguration day was presided over by Bishop Marosi Izidor. It was a moment of special emotion for the Hungarian sisters at the time of this restart of community life. The sisters from Belgium and Spain contributed a lot to this new beginning.
In 2001, the centenary of the establishment of the first community in Hungary was celebrated. There were nine Hungarian sisters. Sr. Christine Barrière, Superior General, who visited them for the first time, represented the whole congregation and expressed joy on behalf of all for this event, which is not without singularity because of its recent history, closing a painful period for society, for the Church and of course for religious life.
Sister Gabriele Huber, representative from Belgium, was also present at the event. She was the provincial at the time of the communist regime, when Hungary was part of the province of Belgium. The sisters of the government team of the Spanish province also attended the event. The province of Spain welcomed and accompanied the sisters in Hungary, and the presence and insertion of Sr. María Teresa Zatarain was a sign of communion and love for the mission.
Sister Piroska Urban was the last Hungarian sister. Although Sr. Piroska remained alone in Hungary as a sister, the congregation through Sr. Maria Theresa, the province of Spain and the general level accompanied her until the end of her life, making sure that she lacked nothing.
S. Urban Piroska passed away in August 2022, and this date marks the end of the SMR presence in Hungary.
In Hungary, there are still people very close to the congregation who, in a way, keep the charism alive.
At present, an apartment belonging to the congregation in Hungary is dedicated to offering shelter to Ukrainian refugees. We thank God for all that this presence has offered the congregation.
Sisters of Mary Reparatrix
Province of Spain