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

Abstract

At the end of the Second World War, Lithuania was occupied by the Soviet Union for decades. The Soviet government was essentially atheistic and persecuted all religious activities. Literature was very important for religious education, but it was destroyed, and the printing of new literature was forbidden and even punishable by imprisonment or other penalties. However, enthusiasts emerged who, under such conditions, began writing, reprinting and distributing periodicals and individual publications. These books included translations mainly from Polish or German. Monks, priests, and laymen did a great deal of work in the field of self-publishing. In particular, members of the Sisters’ Congregation of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Immaculate Conception of the Poor, popularly known as the Sisters of the Poor, were involved in the distribution of such underground books. They distributed religious literature, were persecuted and persecuted, but their contribution to the development of a Catholic society was felt. After the end of the Soviet era, the nuns, and the return of individual residences to the old monastery buildings brought with them “secret” books and created a rich library worthy of research attention.