By Jozef Bartkovjak, SJ

Relations between the Slovak and Czech Provinces of the Society of Jesus are strengthening. To foster this connection, about 60 Jesuits met in Prešov, Slovakia, from September 9-12, 2024. The theme of “working together with others” guided their reflections, prayers, sharing, and celebrations. This was the second interprovincial meeting since the first in Velehrad, Czech Republic, in 2020.

Getting to know each other and getting closer

For four days, the St Ignatius House of Spiritual Exercises in Prešov, Slovakia, hosted the participants from Slovakia and the Czech Republic. “The purpose of these meetings is to get to know each other and get closer, which is an important prerequisite and starting point for the development of cooperation in apostolic ministry in Bohemia, Moravia and Slovakia”, explains Associate Provincial of the Slovak Province Fr Jakub Garčár, who facilitated the group dynamics during the meeting.

Cooperating with others - cooperating with each other

A full day was devoted to reflecting in prayer and discussing “our cooperation with others”. Participants began with personal prayer, presenting to the Lord the names and faces of everyone involved in the Society’s mission - employees, collaborators, benefactors, directors, sacristans, altar boys, readers, cantors, organists, and more.

Participants engaged in silent prayer, contemplating past actions, current endeavours, and the Holy Spirit’s guidance for enhancing our collaboration. In small mixed groups, they shared insights from their personal reflections. The main themes from these spiritual conversations were later shared in the plenary. Here are some key insights from the discussion:

“The Holy Spirit animates in us the desire to collaborate.”

“Collaboration is a challenge to live the Gospel of Christ through mutual love, respect toward others, whom we perceive as a gift, and we become a gift to them.”

“Collaboration is a challenge for us to find God in concrete situations.”

“Gratitude for the collaborators we have spurs us to give ourselves to them more (magis).”

“In the different forms of cooperation we desire to have a common dependence on Christ, through relationships that are free and open to listening.”

“The question of cooperation with others provokes the relevant question of cooperation among ourselves.”

Beatification processes

The two Provinces exchanged updates on the progress of the two beatification cases, both currently in the Roman stages. Petr Havlíček, SJ, from the Czech Province presented the life of Jesuit priest Adolf Kajpr (1902-1959), a Czech who faced persecution under both the Nazi and Communist regimes, and died at 57 in Leopoldov prison, Slovakia.

Dušan Bezák, SJ, from the Slovak Province presented the activities of the Year of Tomáš Munk, celebrated from January 28, 2024, to May 4, 2025. Tomáš Munk, a 21-year-old Jesuit novice, and his father František, Jewish converts from Slovakia, were executed by the Nazis in April 1945 near Neuruppin, Germany.

Attendees also enjoyed a preview of a documentary film about Vendelín Javorka, a Slovak Jesuit, the first Rector of the Russicum in Rome, who suffered in Soviet gulags. His cause for beatification is still about to open in one of the Slovak dioceses.

A touch of history, spirituality and culture

A visit to the nearby town of Bardejov provided a chance for a deep cultural and historical exploration, as well as an opportunity to enjoy one another’s company in a warm and relaxed setting. The Holy Mass concelebrated at the Basilica of St Egidio in Bardejov, graciously hosted by Dean Fr Marek Kreheľ, was a positive sign of the strong ties with the local Church.

The interprovincial meeting in Prešov concluded with a Mass of thanksgiving led by Slovak Provincial Fr Jozef Šofranko. In his homily, Czech Provincial Fr Petr Přádka inspired the participants. Lunch at the House of Spiritual Exercises allowed for expressions of gratitude towards the community’s hospitality and appreciation for the kitchen staff.

City visited by two Popes

Prešov, located 100 km from the Ukrainian border in eastern Slovakia, holds significant historical importance for the Jesuits. The St Ignatius of Loyola House of Spiritual Exercises, established after the fall of communism, lies beneath a hill featuring Baroque Stations of the Cross, a Jesuit creation from the 1700s.

Ecumenism and relations between the Christian East and West hold significant potential in Prešov, home to the Slovak Greek Catholic Church, the Latin Catholic Con-Cathedral, the Archbishop of the autocephalous Orthodox Church, and a longstanding presence of the Lutheran Church.

Two Popes have visited Prešov: St John Paul II in 1995 prayed with Greek Catholics and paid homage to the martyrs of the 17^th century on both the Catholic and Protestant sides. Pope Francis, on September 14, 2021 presided at a liturgy in Prešov in the Slavic Byzantine rite. He made a surprise visit to the St Ignatius of Loyola House of Spiritual Exercises, coming to greet the cooks and staff along with the Jesuit community. The extraordinary, spontaneous, and fraternal event is highlighted by a commemorative plaque.