The Jesuits in Trenčín

Decision of Juraj Lippay, the Ostrihom archbishop, supported by the royal consent of king Ferdinand III, signalled the settlement of the Jesuits in Skalka. This was the only way how to get Catholics near Trenčín - a city with pure Lutheran magistrate, which would otherwise not receive the Jesuits. Since 1630, Skalka had been the property of Pyšky, the later Nitra bishop. He willingly acknowledged the request of the archbishop Lippay and in 1644 issued a gift certificate, giving the Skalka abbey to “the Society of Jesus”. It was a Slovak called Martin Fábry, who was named the first rector of the Jesuits of Trenčín. Another Slovak, Daniel Sednik, native of Pruské, soon came to his help. This is how Skalka became the first refuge of the Trenčín Jesuits.
In December 1646, the Jesuits would enter the city of Trenčín. Brigita Bošnáková, a widow, had bequeathed her house to the Jesuits in 1632 (standing originally at the place of today’s Slovenská sporiteľňa). The angry magistrate would protest such an act, and the whole case appeared before the king Ferdinand III. The king; however, resolved the matter in favour of the Jesuits, and on May 6, 1648, the royal commissionaire and advisor Juraj Rakovický, empowered by the royal decree, let the Jesuits into Trenčín. The magistrate was forced to receive them; otherwise the city would be deprived of all its royal privileges. The installation took place in the Jesuits house, where Rakovický read the royal decree and solemnly declared that in the name of the king Ferdinand III., he is in charge of the official installation of the Jesuits to Trenčín,
Since then, the committed Jesuits worked patiently and re-catholicised many Lutherans. Later, also the lord Illesházy himself ardently supported their work. Opening of the Gymnasium in 1649 was an important momentum. When in 1650 the archbishop Lippay visited the city to celebrate the Saints Days, he found 260 Catholics ready for the sacrament of Confirmation, among those also some 70-year olds. On this occasion, Lippay gave the Jesuits 30,000 guilders for building a church and a monastery. The land was partly donated by the lord Illesházy, partly purchased from the City, after an intense opposition. Juraj Lippay himself, in 1653, laid the cornerstone of the church. Multitudes from broad surroundings came, including the Lutherans, attracted by curiosity. After the consecration, the Gymnasium students performed a play in Slovak about Abraham and Isaac. The play was performed on the square and was a big success.
The completed church was consecrated on July 1st, 1657, in the presence of several bishops, the royal palatine, and a number of priests. The day’s significance was accentuated again by the students of the Jesuit gymnasium, who performed a religious play called The Spirit of Xavier. Again, the play was performed on the square.
This is how the church (soon followed by the monastery as well) still standing on today’s Mierové square Piaristický kostol sv. Františka Xaverského became the centre of the Jesuit activities in Trenčín until 1733.
Two great calamities hit Trenčín in the times of the Jesuits: the Turkish invasion in 1633, and the Kurutz siege of 1704 – 1708. The Turks burned and plundered the monastery in Skalka. Much damage was inflicted on Skalka as well as the whole city also in the time of the Rakoczi wars. With no success the Kurutzs would besiege the city and the German garrison at the castle for four years. In 1708, the general Heister prevailed over them at Hámre. The fields between Turná and Hámre were dotted with 3,500 dead bodies of the Kurutzs. The fate of Veľká and Malá Skalka was lamentable. The villages of Skalka were ransacked; the Jesuits were robbed of their flocks, and the monastery was plundered. After their defeat at Hámre, many Kurutzs fled and became wandering robbers. They attacked mainly the Germans, but would not spare the Slovaks either. When peaceful days came, the Jesuits renewed and reconstructed their buildings.
The Pope Clement XIV. put an end to the Society of Jesus with the Bulla Dominus ac Redemptor noster… on the day of July 21, 1773. The Pope commissioned the Catholic rulers to carry out his will. It was Maria Theresa, who carried out the Pope’s will in our territory on September 26, 1773. The Jesuit monastery was to be afflicted by this act on October 21. School year would start as late as December 1, now under the tutorship of the ex-Jesuits, who were allowed to teach until the coming of the Piarists in 1776.
The people of Trenčín heavily felt this unexpected end to the Jesuit order. It was the Jesuits who had strengthened the faith in the city, contributed to the level of education, culture, and social life. Therefore, on December 15 they turned to the Queen with the request to preserve Gymnasium and the convent. The Piarists took charge of the school and the monastery. However, there would still be a lot of Jesuit fathers alive. The Piarists took a good care of them in their late years and would burry them with all the sacraments.
The State confiscated the vast property of the Jesuits and turned it into the Study fund. The property of Trenčín Jesuits thus contributed to the principal sum of this fund by 212 thousand guilders, including the Skalka property. The Government, notwithstanding the order of Ferdinand III to devolve the property to the Nitra bishopric in case the Jesuits leave, seized the property of Skalka. By not abiding by this clause, Maria Theresa thus sealed the fate of Skalka. Several years after the Jesuits left, the property of Skalka was sold out, the buildings were left desolate and in ruins.
Today’s Skalka has again become a place of spiritual appeal, thanks to the unselfish work of enthusiasts and volunteers, who despite the Communist opposition saved the centre from its sure collapse. This tourist attraction also organises yearly pilgrimages.