By Sr Christine Masivo, CPS & Sr. Jana-Pavla Halčinová, DC
The Vincentian Fathers arrived in Russia in Nizhnyj Tagil in 1997 to serve where a minority of the population was Christian. What began as a response to hungry children became a long-lasting ministry of compassion.
Sr Antonia Lednicka, a Daughter of Charity of St Vincent de Paul (DC), who hails from Slovakia, has been a religious for 30 years and has served in Russia for 23 years.
“Fr Tomaž Mavrič, CM, one of the pioneers, moved by the plight of seeing children roaming on the streets, hungry, cold, and forgotten, was concerned and talked about the issue with the parishioners, then with the headmistress, Natalia Petrovna, of school no. 41, and began a cooperation of Catholic parish and state institutions,” she shares.
The Vincentians started providing hot meals for the children who could not afford lunch, leading to a programme of love and faith in action. Parishioners and priests began simply by paying school lunches for 50–80 children who could not afford one.
Daughters of Charity in Russia
“Fr Tomaž asked for sisters to serve,” says Sr Antonia. “They arrived in 2000 from Slovakia and began the Children’s Club Care, becoming the refuge, classroom, and second home for hundreds of local children. Starting with weekly meetings, now they serve five days weekly.”
“Over 1,500 children have benefited from this club,” notes Sr Antonia. “For some, it’s a year, and for others, it’s their whole school life.”
The club’s mission was to give love, stability, and guidance to children who had none. “Many of the children were not believers. Gradually, we helped both Orthodox and Muslims, but that was not an issue; we needed to show them that someone loves them,” echoes Sr Antonia.
Ulyana’s testimony
Ulyana, a 34-year-old beneficiary, attests to the Vincentians’ care. “I have fond memories of my childhood,” she smiles. “We all went together to slide down the hill in the winter or hiking. That was fun, cozy, and homely; I was much happier than ever.”
“I came from a dysfunctional family,” she says. “I wasn’t taught kindness and love, but the club helped in my development as a person. It molded my creativity and talent, so now I am a designer and am grateful to the children’s club.”
A wider mission
The Daughters of Charity also serve the homeless in Nizhnyj Tagil, visit the local shelters every day, and help with hygiene and the reconstruction of buildings where homeless people live.
They also serve in a state tuberculosis hospital. “Many tuberculosis patients are homeless and come without documents,” Sr Antonia explains. “We help them to obtain legal documents so that they receive social benefits or move to other facilities after discharge.” The sisters use their car to ferry patients to offices and cover all the expenses.
Once a month, they deliver food at the dispensary for tuberculosis patients, as an incentive for the patients to come for a regular medical examination.
They offer a pastoral service to parishioners in the parish, conduct catechesis, and several times a year hold meetings for parishioners on various occasions and holidays.
Support in tough times
Their charity programs require funds, which they obtain through grants from the Vincentians’ Slovakia Province, as well as from donations from local people during the annual ‘St Vincent’s Bag’ food collection.
“The people are very generous, because they know the food will be used for the poor,” says Sr Antonia with a grateful smile.
They organize performances for various occasions such as Christmas, Easter, and the day of respect for the elderly.
At Omsk
Bishop Joseph Werth, SJ, of the diocese of Novosibirsk, invited the sisters to the city of Omsk in 2010.
In the Siberian city, the Vincentian sisters work in two parishes, teaching catechism to children and adults. They also serve homeless people and tuberculosis patients at the Catholic Charity in Omsk, while offering spiritual assistance to charity workers, families, and children.
“Together with the priest, we go to the surrounding parishes, sometimes more than 100 kilometres apart,” says Sr Antonia.
Joys and struggles
Sr Antonia reflects on the deep struggles and quiet hope within her community, where fear, poverty, and family hardships remain constant challenges. Despite the small number of Catholics, the sisters know everyone personally and find great joy in seeing the generation grow, seeing the children of those she once served.
For over twenty years, the Vincentian sisters’ mission in Russia has been rooted in small acts of love and presence for a mission inspired by the love of God. – Vatican News
