” “The Pope and the martyrs” “

The third apostolic visit of John Paul II to Slavakia is now in progress (11-14 September 2003). During the visit two Slovakian martyrs will be beatified: Vasil’ Hopko (1904-1976) and Zdenka Cecilia Schelingová (1916-1955). We present below a reflection by the spokesman of the Slovak Episcopal Conference, Msgr. Marian Gavenda, accompanied by brief biographical notes on the new Blesseds. It won’t be flag-waving displays, reminiscent of the forced Communist celebrations of the past, but the happy faces and hearts of the faithful, that await the Pope on his third visit to Slovakia. The summer controversies on the costs of the Pope’s visit have dissolved like snow under the sun and the same goes for the more recent fears of terrorist attacks. The smokescreen raised by some of the media on this event is having the reverse effect of giving it greater emphasis. It’s enough to think that the Slovak ‘Pravda’, once the organ of the Communist party, has dedicated a special four-page feature to John Paul II’s visit. We have prepared this journey in the greatest detail, especially in prayer: in families, in groups, in churches. Many young people are engaged in continuous adoration. The bishops have asked that the Rosary be recited in every home, in every church. The experience of previous visits has taught us that once the initial enthusiasm has faded, everything returns to what it was before. Through prayer, the aim is to give the experience of this event a greater interior depth. Bishop Vasil’ Hopko and Sister Zdenka Cecilia Schelingová, martyrs of the Communist period, who will be beatified by the Holy Father, are being offered to everyone as examples of a living faith. They invite us to maintain the legacy of the martyrs and the memory of the persecution. It should not be forgotten that the faith cost our predecessors dear. We were born free and must remain so in the face of the dangers, not of communism but of consumerism. The families in which this persecution was dramatically experienced have a clear sense of this need, but the new generations are rapidly forgetting it. Many don’t even what communism and persecution are. Msgr. Hopko and Sister Schelingová shall be a constant reminder of that. What ‘fruits’ can we expect from this visit? First of all, the love for the Scriptures. The New Testament copied by hand by young Slovaks and offered to the Pope is intended to testify to this love. Second, the growth in the faith. Emotions are transitory; the faith must be enduring and put to the test in everyday life. We must remain steadfast in the faith – that’s the message that the Pope brings to Slovak faithful – especially in this phase in which Slovakia is about to enter Europe. The best fruit will be a faith of quality.