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Jeta Katolike
sought, through arms and the pen, to exercise their right to live like civilized people, as a nation with its own characteristics and qualities, as a people of the same blood and language, formed by the distinctive and exemplary Albanian besa and valor.”17 Apart from the commemorative issue of 1937, the Leka review published a special edition in 1943 on Lidhja e Prizrenit (The League of Prizren), with an abundance of documents. The following year it put out a supplement entitled, Të Drejtat e Shqipnis Ethnike (The Rights of Ethnic Albania). The topic was a burning issue between communist and non-communist or nationalist resistance forces in the country. Like the Messenger, Leka also ceased publication in 1944.
Jesuit Missionary Center One of the most important institutions of the Society of Jesus in Albania was Misioni Shëtitës Shqiptar (Visiting Albanian Mission), known as the Jesuit Missionary Center. It was established in 1888. 18 Eco di Lourdes, of April 1887, carried a report about the Visiting Albanian Mission written by Father Pasi, the Mission’s capo. It was reprinted in the Woodstock Letters. The following is a short excerpt from that report. “We have just sent two Fathers on a roving mission among the Mountains of Albania. They are doing a lot of good among the poor neglected inhabitants of that region.” Father Pasi further detailed the pitiful conditions of the country and religious ignorance among the inhabitants
Avokati që i ka përjetuar të njejtat probleme juridike, tani është në dispozicionin tuaj
SABRI (SAM) GJONI ATTORNEY AT LAW
of Northern Albania, and concluded that: “In this region in order to accomplish any good deeds, the missionary must be constantly on the march, catechizing and conferring Sacraments at every available opportunity. If we only possessed more means we could accomplish an immense amount of good for the glory of God here. Having given you this sketch of our situation let me close by begging your interest and prayers for the Albanian Mission.”19 The Visiting Albanian Mission was centered in Shkodër, but its field of operations encompassed all areas with Albanian Catholic populations. It reached as far as Durrës in the South, to Pejë in the North, to Shkup in the East and Ulqin and Tivar in the West. No town or village, no matter how remote, was too far for the visiting missionaries. Each year members of the Mission traveled on foot and horseback among the faithful preaching the Gospel and instructing the children, the youth and adults in the Christian virtues of love, humility and forgiveness. In those days the blood feud tradition was strong in northern Albania, and it became part of the work of visiting Jesuit missionaries to try to bring peace and concord among the feuding families and clans. Many members of the Missionary Center earned recognition not only for their field work and acts of charity –which not infrequently called for great sacrifices– but also for their achievements in Albanian letters, history, botany, folklore and other fields of knowledge. OTHER JESUIT WORKS, INSTITUTIONS AND SERVICES In 1870, despite various difficulties and obstacles encountered with the Turkish authorities, the Jesuits began to build a new church close to the Pontifical Seminary. The existing chapel was too small to meet the growing needs of their many apostolates. After two years of constant work, often performed at night due to fear of Muslim anti-Catholic fanatics, the church was consecrated to the great joy of the City’s Catholic populace. The Jesuit fathers’ sermons brought many to the church, which was dedicated to St. Joseph in thanksgiving for the saint’s miraculous help and protection. In 1875, following the opening of St. Joseph’s Church, the Jesuit fathers and brothers founded the Marian Congregation of Our Lady of the Annunciation. It was the only Congregation for men in the city and soon numbered over 200 members. To join the congregation the candidates’ lives had to exemplify their commitment to Christian teachings, devotion to Mary, help for the poor and needy and assistance to the sick. The Congregation proved to be an attractive example to many throughout the decades.
Albanian Mission House In Kosova
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In 1910, the Reverend Ndue Bytyçi, a former Jesuit student, offered his residence in Shkup, Kosova, to the Jesuits as an extension of the Albanian Visiting Mission. Father Gaspër Zadrima, S.J., of Shkodër was assigned to direct the new Missionary Center. Along with two Jesuit brothers, Father Zadrima instructed the youth and the people of the area in their faith and the Albanian language and history. One of his students and parishioners was Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, now known as Mother Teresa. With the creation of the state of Yugoslavia by the 1918 Treaty of Versailles, Shkup and Kosova became part of the new nation. The work of the Jesuit Albanian Missionary Center in Shkup began to encounter various administrative difficulties until it was abruptly ended in 1928. Yugoslav authorities ordered Father Zadrima and his companions to leave Shkup and return to Albania. Thereupon Croatian Jesuits from Zagreb were sent to Shkup.
Beneficial Society and Hospital Another work undertaken by the Jesuits in Shkodër was the formation of the St. Joseph Beneficial Society in 1890. This Society provided