SMR Presence in Hungary-Part I
Circumstances of the Foundation
The assassination in 1898 of the Austrian-Hungarian Empress Elisabeth (the famous Sissi), wife of Franz Josef, led to the construction of a church as a reparation for this murder. It was decided that this church would be a national monument, and that its care would be entrusted to a religious community. One of the ladies on the committee that decided on the construction of this church, the Marquise Pallavicini Maijlath, having known and esteemed the Society of Marie Reparatrice in Rome, approached Sr. Marie de Saint Maurice, Superior General, who accepted the project to take care of this church, which would be open for the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
In April 1901, Sr. Mary of Our Lady of La Salette and Sr. Mary of Our Lady of Good Help were sent to Hungary to found a house. At first, they stayed with nuns called the "English Ladies", they also met the Jesuits and Bishop Charles Kanter. The official inauguration of the house took place on 14 June 1901 under the name of "Saint Elizabeth of Hungary".
The community consisted of 14 sisters, including Sr. M. de Sainte Marguerite, called "the Mother of the poor and apostle of Budapest" because of her dedication to the Hungarian people. Gifted in learning languages, Sr. M. de Sainte Marguerite knew how to express herself well enough to establish relations with the Hungarian clergy and families (see her biography "Margit Anya"). The church called Örökimádas (Perpetual Worship) was consecrated in September 1908. Until the First World War, the worship and the activities of exercises, groups and works for the poor churches in the country were increasing.
First World War (1914-1918)
At the outbreak of war, the community was made up of forty Sisters from different countries, which were precisely those in conflict: Hungarian, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Belgian, Polish and English. Right from the beginning of the conflict, the sisters transformed their house into an infirmary (Red Cross ambulance) in order to care for the wounded. The situation was sensitive because there were many foreign sisters in the convent. However, the presence of the Red Cross was a form of protection towards the military, civilians and against bombing.
After the proclamation of the Soviet Republic on 21 March 1919, life became dangerous for the SMR. The foreign sisters were placed under the protection of the consulates, but the Hungarian sisters had to hide out with relatives and friends. They lived under constant threat, in unceasing tension. They had to live in hiding. They gave a great testimony of their solidarity by remaining fraternally united despite the conflict in their countries. At the same time, they turned their house into a hospital and treated more than 2,500 wounded. Throughout this period, the church remained open as a refuge for the physically and morally abandoned. The year after the end of the war was very difficult; until August 1919, the country was under Russian control and the sisters had to disperse and hide.
Between the Wars (1920 - 1938)
The community reunited and resumed its life and activities. In September 1935, the novitiate is opened in Budapest and a new community is established in Neszmély. In 1938, the novitiate was transferred to the latter community.
In 1932, on 10 December 1932, Sr. Margit Anya, one of the first French sisters of the foundation and the cornerstone of its development, died. She became so well known that she sometimes received letters with only the following indication: "Margit Anya, Budapest". During the 35 years she lived in Hungary, she devoted herself tirelessly to the people, especially the poor and abandoned.
Sisters of Mary Reparatrix
Province of Spain