Slovenia. On 2 June 2025, the mayor of Šentrupert in southern Slovenia celebrated the Šentrupert Municipal Festival. Tomaž Ramovš, presented the municipal prizes to some worthy people of the place and conferred on Sister Zvonka Mikec, Daughter of Mary Help of Christians, honorary citizenship.
Originally from Šentrupert – called “barn country” due to the presence of the first open-air museum with barns in the world – Sister Zvonka, has been a missionary in Angola since 1991, with an interval in Mozambique (from 2010 to 2022).
The announcement was welcomed and confirmed by enthusiastic applause from residents and guests from neighboring countries. After explaining the route and some of the city’s development plans, the Mayor congratulated “our new honorary citizen who, through her missionary work in the world, represents us as a community of open-hearted people.”
“I think it is beautiful that the Municipality has recognized the missionary work, which is not mine, but of all of us, of my whole homeland, because I always feel great support from Slovenia,” the recipient expressed with gratitude.
The wish and appreciation were also expressed by the Minister of Interior, Boštjan Poklukar, who was present as the main guest at the event and, among other things, praised the development of Šentrupert and all those who contributed to it. In particular, he stressed that the goal of everyone is peace and that “Sister Zvonka Mikec, who carries out such a noble work, brings forward peace and only peace.”
Petra Krnc Laznik, the host of the cultural program, following the vocational journey of the new Honorary Citizen, also emphasized this aspect saying that, “In her three decades of mission, education, and building bridges between nations, Sister Zvonka has connected two worlds and woven a strong thread of solidarity between Slovenia and the African continent.”
She continued, “With her dedication, courage, and great love for others, she embodies the values of humanity, faith, and service. Sister Zvonka receives the title of Honorary Citizen of the Municipality of Šentrupert for her missionary work in Angola and Mozambique, where for more than three decades she has been leading educational and humanitarian projects with commitment, courage, responsibility, dedication, and a lot of compassion. The Distance Adoption project, among other things, takes care of children, young people and their families, and builds bridges of solidarity and hope with the strength of faith and human warmth, inspiring and involving various volunteers in doing good from her native Šentrupert, from Slovenia, and from abroad.”
Sister Mira Peče, Vicar of Mary Help of Christians Province (SLC), was also present at the event.
Thanking with simplicity, Sister Zvonka invited everyone, “to continue our missionary work together, because a missionary, wherever she is, is never alone. If we do not have a home that supports us, if we do not have good people to accompany us, we would not be able to do good in distant lands. A heartfelt thank you to Šentrupert, to this land, to this valley, and also to this beautiful Slovenia, which generously helps us through many projects to work and to be what we are. Thus, your recognition is not only for me, but for all of us who participate in this great mission. Thank you from my heart.”
In her words, she also recalled the valuable support of the young people, “It is good that some young people from Šentrupert have already experienced and seen our missionary work closely when they engaged in volunteering. Let this be a challenge also for today’s young people. When we open ourselves to the needs of others, we grow in our own lives. This sentiment enriches and matures us.”
Querida irmã Zvonka. Parabéns. Deus seja sempre louvado e continue a retribuir em graças e bênçãos por todo bem que este querido povo esloveno realiza em prol das missões. Abraço com carinho
Parabens Ir. Zvonka por este reconhecimento recebido, obrigada pelo seu empenho e dedicacao na missao.
Parabéns Ir Zvonka pelo reconhecimento recebido. Deus te abençoe.
carissima Sr. Zvonka mi congratulo con te per quanto hai fatto e ccontinuerai a fare per altri 30 anni….sono felice di avarti conosciuta e continuare a lavorare con te. Sr. Giovanna
Johannesburg
Querida Ir. Zvonka, muito orgulho de você e da sua vocação missionária que sempre inspirou a minha.
Sono felice per te, perchè hanno riconosciuto e celebrato la tua donazione. Dio continui a benedire il tuo servizio
Congratulo-me com você, querida e grande missionária. Prêmio merecido.
Commozione e gioia per questa mia Sorella FMA, che vive il carisma in rete con culture diverse in nome della pace e dell’educazione dei giovani. E’ un ramo fecondo che offre già i segni di una futura fioritura come il seme del Vangelo. Oggi i Popoli hanno bisogno di donne come Sr Zvonka, investite davvero dall’Amore dello Spirito Santo.
Felicitações, realmente. Merece, tem trabalhado com dedicação e muito amor.
Missionária fiel a Deus, á Igreja e ao Instituto fãs FMA. Muitos Parabéns Ir.Zvonka.
Congratulations dear sister . We are proud of you. The humble will be exalted and here you are an FMA a model for us.
God grant you long life that you continue to give glory to God and strength to the poor through your services.