Religious Literature and the Work of the „Poor Sisters” Banned by the Soviet Authorities
Religious Literature and the Work of the „Poor Sisters” Banned by the Soviet Authorities

Summary/Abstract: At the end of the Second World War, Lithuania was occupied by the Sovi-et Union for decades. The Soviet government was essentially atheistic and persecuted all religious activities. Literature was very important for religious edu-cation, but it was destroyed, and the printing of new literature was forbiddenand even punishable by imprisonment or other penalties. However, enthusiastsemerged who, under such conditions, began writing, reprinting and distributingperiodicals and individual publications. These books included translationsmainly from Polish or German. Monks, priests, and laymen did a great deal ofwork in the field of self-publishing. In particular, members of the Sisters’ Con-gregation of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Immaculate Conception of thePoor, popularly known as the Sisters of the Poor, were involved in the distribu-tion of such underground books. They distributed religious literature, werepersecuted and persecuted, but their contribution to the development of a Cath-olic society was felt. After the end of the Soviet era, the nuns, and the return ofindividual residences to the old monastery buildings brought with them “se-cret” books and created a rich library worthy of research attention

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