In the heart of Zenica, a small but strong community of Ursuline sisters has been providing spiritual and practical support to the citizens, but above all to the youth, for more than half a century.
The main mission of the Ursulines is upbringing and education, which for centuries they have been following the mission of the founder of the order, Anđela Merica, who vowed to her members to devote their lives to the upbringing and education of young people.
Strengthening the foundations of the community through spiritual renewal, prayers, and individual conversations, the sisters became a true pillar of support not only for the Catholic community in Zenica, but also for other fellow citizens. Their doors are always open to all those who find peace and hope in talking with the sisters.
The monastery was built during the communist era, and is located in the center of the city, right next to the Church of St. Joseph. The sisters arrived in the town on the coast of Bosnia, where at that time more and more workers in Željezar, including Catholics, were arriving in search of pastor Ante Čondrić. He needed help in raising children, children and numerous Catholic families. Namely, he wrote a request to the administration of the Ursuline sisters, and in 1967 five sisters arrived at the convent.
“Today, our community has three sisters in the monastery. Two sisters serve in the parish, and one in the school. Our life is intense for the reason that it is always necessary to live a balance between three essential elements: prayer, common life and apostolate,” explains local sister Pia Jurić, who joined the Society of Ursuline Sisters eight years ago, for Snaga.
Before coming to the Ursuline Sisters in 2017, Sister Pia visited six Congregations, where she searched for her life’s path through meetings with sisters who have different missions.
“At the moment when I was already tired of searching, one summer I arrived at the door of the Ursuline sisters here in Zenica. They then had a spiritual renewal for young people. When I came here it was like coming home. I just knew; yes, that’s my place,” Sister Pia recalled.
Education of the young: The fundamental mission of the Ursulines
The mission of the Ursuline Sisters since their foundation was to work on the upbringing and education of the young, so it is often said that the Ursuline Sisters are the people’s teachers. But today, young people need not only education, but above all our support, according to Sister Pia.
“The time of large masses has passed. There are so many movements in the world, and offers, and with our presence in institutions such as schools and kindergartens and parishes, I would say that spiritual renewal and individual meetings have become a larger field of work in the last few years. It has been observed that today’s young person needs accompaniment, guidance and direction that will have some security and continuity,” points out sister Pia.
This is exactly why the Ursulines patiently continue to provide support through catechesis, school and various spiritual renewals. They are especially aimed at providing young people with life guidance through the example of a life dedicated to God and love for one’s neighbor. Through work in the school and parish, as well as through individual meetings, they help young people to face the challenges of the modern world.
The monastery of the Ursuline sisters in Zenica is the only one in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the order, in the territory of the former Yugoslavia, also has its monasteries in Varaždin, Zagreb, Rovinj and Slavonski Brod.
“Young people are great seekers of true values, open to the truth, but often powerless, after all, just like us elders. Times are changing and it is necessary to keep up with them, to hear them, to touch their world in which they are now. If you are an authentic witness, you perform joyfully and in love and patience, young people recognize this quickly and follow it. I saw that in my work at school, as they have, I would say, a sixth sense for authenticity. They follow everything, hear everything and see everything, no matter how absent-minded they seem. For me personally, they were a good test of conscience and an incentive to try to manifest my faith and love through actions as much as possible”, says sister Pia.
For years, the “Burning Bush” youth community was active in Župa, but now it is in the process of “reanimation” due to the change of generations. Young people have changed their place of residence.
“However, the spirit of the “Burning Bush” youth community still lives in the parish today, just like the true burning bush. That you touch others with the love and light you carry within you,” Sister Pia proudly points out.
Although young people today are often criticized for not being active or committed to the community, Sister Pia has a different experience.
“Young people are very hardworking. Although many weaknesses are attributed to them because of the internet world in which they are immersed, I think that many who think exactly like that would be surprised to see how ready and open young people are to serve. In the last five years, I have truly had the opportunity to witness only open hearts and the power of community. “When there is a good and healthy team, nothing is a problem to do,” she says.
Open doors for all generations
In addition to their educational role, since their arrival in Zenica, the Ursuline sisters helped those who lived in material poverty. They visited those who lived in remote villages, and even organized cinema screenings in the courtyard of the monastery.
Such their mission has continued to this day. In the community in Zenica, the sisters are active in the parish of St. Joseph, in catechism, then in the Catholic School Center St. Paul, and they also have accommodation for female students.
During all these years, the monastery stopped its activities only during the war. The sisters then went to Varaždin, but returned immediately after the war ended and continued where they left off. Although the image of Zenica and the parish in which they worked changed after the war, the zeal remained the same.
“Their presence was also a security for the people who remained in the parish. They continued to bring together children, young people and families,” emphasizes sister Pia.
Women in Community Service and Change
The role of women in society is increasingly important, and the Ursuline sisters show this by their own example. Their commitment to work with youth from the time they arrived in Zenica to today has not gone unnoticed.
“Each Ursuline is a sign. She is the mother of many spiritual children. We have helped so many and changed many lives. I will dare to say that the Ursulines saved some people’s lives. It is always touching to meet those people later, who come, and with teary eyes recount how important this or that sister is to him… And what is the most beautiful thing for me personally – we often do it in secret. There won’t be too much talk about it, but there are beautiful fruits that have come out of our way of life,” points out Sister Pia.
The Ursuline Sisters in Zenica have been actively participating in inter-religious dialogue and cooperating with other religious communities for years. Their doors are not only open to parishioners and Catholics, but to all good people and those who need help. Either material or spiritual.
“I can say that in Zenica there is a lot of openness because there are a lot of people who need a word of comfort, spiritual help in the form of conversation, prayer or simply a listening ear. I would say that our field of work is expanding because young people and children and mothers and fathers, even people of other religions, are knocking on our door,” emphasized sister Pia.
In a world that is constantly changing, the Ursuline sisters are a kind of beacon of spiritual strength and stability, firmly rooted in their mission of love, faith and service to the community. Through their work, they show how women, although quiet, can bring about positive changes in society with their dedication. Their presence, often invisible at first glance, left a deep mark in the hearts of numerous people from Zenica whom they helped. And it will continue to do so. Because the Ursulines are the silent heroines of the city of steel.
Written by: Vedada Sećerbajtarević
This story was written thanks to the generous support of the American people through the “Local Works” program of the United States Agency for International Development in Bosnia and Herzegovina (USAID). The content of the story is solely the responsibility of the author and the “Network for Building Peace”. The views expressed in the story do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.
