I. Svatý Kopeček by Olomouc – Norbertinum:
Genesis
The Congregation of Premonstratensian Sisters was founded
in 1902 by Reverend Vojtěch Frejka, O.Praem. of Strahov (Praha).
The Congregation consists of The Province of Moravia and Bohemia. The Province
of Slovakia was founded in 1939. The Province of Moravia and Bohemia has two
communities – the majority live and work in Svatý Kopeček by Olomouc and the
other is the community in Humpolec. Until 1950, the sisters worked in
parishes and in the seminary. They cared for sick people and orphans (sanctuary).
They did social work. In Norbertinum, the sisters were given courses of exercici
(spiritual exercises). In 1950, the community service was taken over by the
communist regime (state). The sisters were moved out of their convent. During
the communist regime they worked all over the country (Czech and Slovak
Republics – until 1992 it was one state one country). They had to accept any
work whatsoever (in the factory, rest home, hospital,…).
In 1989, there was a change in the political regime in our country. Confiscation
and considerably devastated convents were given back and the sister´s activity
also started to regenerate step by step
Restart
In the anniversary year 2000, we returned to Norbertinum
in Svatý Kopeček by Olomouc after the reconstruction of two smaller buildings
where we have been living, adoring of the eucharist, and taking care of older
sisters. The whole area consists of three buildings of different sizes, with
an interconnected corridor. In January 2004, we put a new much used kitchen and
laundry into service. These services are offered by to people living in Sv.
Kopeček and by confreres. In July 2005, we started a new house for lay seniors (
the elderly) where we take care of them. The house is called: The House of
St. Norbert.
Next to our convent we have the lovely Basilica of the Virgin Mary, where there
are working the male branch O.Praem. brothers of Strahov canonry. We are
cooperating with them in different ways. We are also cooperating with the civil
personnel (employees) very well. They help us to effect our mission here in this
place. From their initiative the Norbert community (civil) association has
arisen for the support of our activity (grant-in-aid).
Picture
gallery
II. Common life and apostleship
Spiritual life + relaxation (recreation)
Our spiritual life is sustained on the Holy mass (daily). God be praised in chorus and given regular adoration HIS especially for the needs
of the Church, our order and all the world. Our chapel is devoted to St. Norbert
and this is the centre of our community and whole convent. The relics of St.
Augustin have also been celebrated.
The community finds regular relaxation in the convent and in our nice garden where
we grow in the summer our own vegetables for the kitchen (various meals). A large
part of the garden is devoted to relaxation with a big sport ground and
fireplace for a summer gathering with the male branch of the neighbourhood.
Apostolic activity without the community
Three of our sisters work outside the community. S. Klara
is working in a local hospice. She takes care of the incurable. S. Rafaela is
working in the secretariat of the Archbishopric of Olomouc. She also plays the organ
and she is a choir-master in the Bacilica in Sv.Kopeček. S. Siarda teaches at
the Faculty of Theology in Olomouc. She attends to young people and catechises a
lot.
Parish in Velký Týnec by Olomouc
In this place is a diocesan parish where S. Norbert is
working. She has lived outside the community for a long time. She is helping her
brother who is the priest and he is ill. She helps him in the parish with the
young men, she is parish housewife and she also cares about church decorations.
The parish is far, cca 20 km from Svatý Kopeček, and so S. Norberta visits us
regularly.
III. Humpolec
Genesis
Since 1936 our sisters have lived in Humpolec, worked and
took care of the laic seniors ( the elderly) from Humpolec and the neighbourhood
till 1950 when the activity was violently broken up by communist regime.
Restart
In 1992, both buildings were given back (restitution) and
after their reconstruction in 1993-1994 the community took up the original
activity of our sisters.
In 1994, The House of the blessed Bronislava was opened again with 5 sisters
working there.
The main activity was in the house (rest home), the sisters were also working in
the parish – giving religious education.
There are 4 sisters living today aged 35-43, they are working in the house of
the blessed Bronislava and care also about spiritual services for seniors. They
cooperate closely with O. Praem. Fathers from Želiv canonicity are living in
monastery 9 km out of Humpolec. They guarantee priestly service in the parish
which is also given by the sisters. They are cooperating with civil personnel (employees)
very well not only with care of seniors but also in different cultural and
hobby programmes. In the convent where the sisters live there is a private
chapel – the initiation of the Holy Cross. There sisters celebrate the liturgy –
breviary + mass, they meditate and adore Jesus in IHS. The convent is
interconnected with The house of blessed Bronislava by a glass corridor. In this
house there is a semi-public chapel consecrated to the blessed Bronislava where
there are prayer and celebration. There is also a rehabilitative room for
training with seniors (clients) and big ordination office for (mobile, with
crutches) clients. The head of the house joins in different activites outside
our house – excursions, trips and cultural programs in Humpolec and in the
neighbourhood in which our sisters also take part.
IV. Tertiary
Into our community a tertiary order was also accepted. They want
to live through Norbert's spirituality together with us. They work in their
parish and they pray some devotional exercises together. We meet them regularly in
different spiritual and cultural programs.
Picture Gallery
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