Presence of Sisterhoods in the Life of the Catholic University of Lublin in the Years 1945-1989

Abstract

The presence of nuns in the Catholic University of Lublin (KUL) and its mission was written into its history since the very beginning, who while creating academic environment were students, academic teachers, research workers, librarians as well as university administration employees and its various agendas, including the rector’s office, priests’ dormitory, female dormitory as well as the Scientific Society of KUL and Society of KUL Friends.

Since the beginning of the 1950s, authorities of the Polish People’s Republic prevented the nuns’ possibility to study in state schools, and this concerned both secondary schools and colleges. For this reason, the Catholic University of Lublin, apart from the Academy of Catholic Theology, for many years became the only institution of higher education where nuns could study.

The presence of nuns at the Catholic University of Lublin translated into a formation of the conventual elite, since many nuns who graduated from KUL assumed the duties of general and provincial superiors. The Catholic University of Lublin was an important scientific centre for sisterhood communities, where nuns not only could acquire education but also academic degrees and titles. The nuns have become the history and academic community of KUL for good, shaping the history of life not only of its graduates in habits, but also of entire religious communities.