During his visit in Slovenia on May 18th, 1996 His Holiness Pope John Paul II blessed the beginning of the renovations of the St. Joseph's Church in Ljubljana.
The St. Joseph's Church and its history
In 1895 there was a devastating earthquake in Ljubljana. In order to prevent another misfortune the people of Ljubljana made a vow to gather every Easter. The liturgies were to be held in the St. Joseph's church which was completed in 1914.
Jesuits, who built the church, constructed also the Retreat House in vicinity. Many people profited from the spiritual help in the House, including Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, who later became Pope John XXIII.
In 1949 the church was confiscated by the Communist regime. The church was devastated and together with the Jesuit residence given to the State’s film industry. The Jesuits were expelled from the sight. The Retreat House was turned even into the Abortion Clinic for several years.
In 1991 the Jesuits and the faithful made a request for their dispossessed church, the Jesuit residence and the Retreat House to be given back.
The prayers of the faithful and the constant efforts of friends together with the support of the Holy Father John Paul II, who was on visit to Slovenia, resulted in the formal return of the church to the Jesuits.
On Easter Sunday 1996 the happy moment arrived. The church was filled up again by the faithful. The same Jesuit father who was made to take away the Blessed Sacrament in 1949 was now able to lead the long procession of priests who were celebrating the liturgy which was banned in the church for so many years. This was a very moving moment.
Currently the St. Joseph' church is being renovated. Together with Slovene Catholics we share happiness that the church is assuming its original purpose: a place of prayer and worship. We appeal to everybody to help us to accomplish this work.
Spiritual Center of St. Joseph
The Church, Retreat House of St. Ignatius and Jesuit house are to initiate the new pastoral activities. Jesuits, lay people and other members of the Church plan to set up the Spiritual Center of St. Joseph. The activities will be offered to: families, workers, youth, teachers and other educators, pastoral workers, and anybody who searches and walks the spiritual paths of Gospel values.
As soon as the circumstances allow the following activities will be initiated: pilgrimages, educational programs for youth, married couples, teachers and pastoral ministers. It will also include a Counseling Center and Youth Center. We hope the Center will serve many other pastoral purposes in the future.
Info in Slovenian:
http://www.rkc.si/jozef/
http://www.rkc.si/jozef/dssj.htm
http://www.rkc.si/jozef/foto.htm