Bratislava (Slovakia). On 29 March 2025, a group of Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of St. John Bosco Province (SLK) with the Salesian Cooperators, led by the Provincial Sister Jana Kurkinová, visited the Community of St. John Bosco in Pogrzebien, in Poland, of Our Lady of Jasna Góra Province (PLJ), to meet Sister Teresa Czekala.
It was a “pilgrimage of gratitude” in the context of the celebrations for the 85th anniversary of the arrival of the FMA in Slovakia. Sister Teresa Czekala, former Polish Provincial, has been a significant reference figure in the history of the Slovak Province.
In the eighties, during the communist regime (1950 – 1990), Sister Teresa as Provincial Vicar, secretly visited the FMA in Slovakia several times, in civilian dress and with great personal risk, to help them in the difficult situation of persecution.
In those years, it was impossible to go from Poland to Slovakia without a personal official invitation by someone from Slovakia. For this reason, two Salesian Cooperators – the Peciar couple from Trnava – undertook to invite Sister Teresa as the godmother for the baptisms of their children. The excitement for them was great in meeting again after many years.
One of the participants in the pilgrimage said: “I had only heard about her from our older sisters, who remembered her with gratitude as a person of faith, strong and determined to go forward despite the obstacles. I am happy that we have taken this step. As you have travelled to us, so we have travelled to you to express our gratitude on behalf of our whole Province.”
The FMA Community of Pogrzebien welcomed the pilgrims in a very warm and familiar way. For Sister Teresa, it was a beautiful day of joy, touching encounters, and time spent together. “This is a great miracle,” she continued to repeat. It was also a gift for the Sisters to be able to stay in places related to the life of Venerable Sister Laura Meozzi.
Impressions of some participants:
“For me, the memories of my youth and our contacts with the Polish FMA were strong and moving. It was beautiful to be back where I was in 1990. In Pogrzebien, we were able to breathe freely for a while, without fear of being discovered as religious.”
The Provincial, Sister Jana Kurkinová: “It was precious for me to listen to Sister Teresa, to feel her freshness (at 85 years old), her always fantastic memory, and her love for our Province. I am happy to have organized this event with the Provincial, Sister Małgorzata Pilarska”.
The youngest participant of the pilgrimage, Sister Nicola:
“The emotions still pervade me, because it was a strong encounter also thanks to Mother Laura Meozzi. I am very happy to know more about our history. I am grateful for the commitment of the Sisters in giving themselves to God despite the difficult times and many obstacles. I realize that it is worth persevering and living our vocation. Laura Meozzi was a model for me, but now I am even more touched by her example of fidelity in staying in Poland, despite the war, to help the Sisters and young people.”
Anche in Ucraina, specialmente a Odesa, siamo molto grate a Sr Teresa Czekala. Lei è stata la prima direttrice della prima comunità a Odesa arrivata nel 1993. é una donna di grande cuore, di aperti orizzonti, una vera grande salesiana. Grazie, Sr Teresa!
Che bella testimonianza non solo per i giovani ma anche per noi che abbiamo molti anni di vita consacrata come fma. Che grande cosa è la riconoscenza ed il fare memoria per continuare il cammino con coraggio, gioia e speranza, pensando alla fedeltà delle nostre sorelle in tempi così difficili .