The Catholic Church in Slovakia experienced a period of intensive development, boosted by the activities of Marian Congregations and Catholic Action, in the first half of the twentieth century. There were only 15 Congregations as of 1919, with their number increasing rapidly. It rose to 219 by 1948, the year of the forcible crackdown by the Communist regime against Catholic associations. In accordance with Ignatian spirituality, the Marian Congregations were aimed at personal sanctification, the sanctification of others and community life. Not one of these components was neglected and the emphasis was placed on the apostolate of personal example as well as on the organized apostolate. Catholic Action had a solid organizational structure which mirrored the arrangement of dioceses and parishes. The local parish priest had the main responsibility for Catholic Action as well as for Marian Congregations established by the bishop in his parish. This cooperation was characterized by five principles: personal growth in faith, participation in the life of a small community, lay apostolate, the formation of priests for cooperation with the laity and the support of bishops for both ordained and lay apostles.
Both the liturgical and the magisterial sources demonstrate that the local community – the parish which is the subject of the liturgy – takes precedence over personal participation in the Sunday Mass. It is important to reconsider this thoroughly. The life of the Church is shaped by the responsibility of its members, so local communities should be encouraged to gather every Sunday to celebrate the liturgy. The personal attitudes of individual believers should reflect more on the importance of the Sunday gathering of the local community, even if the Eucharist is not celebrated.
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