Who is Sister Eliška, Servant of God?

Born in 1911 in Czechoslovakia, Anna Pretschnerová made her vows in 1932 and received the name Sister Eliška.  Her education was halted in 1945 during the Second World War and later when Communist forces closed the colleges and universities, but she managed to continue her studies by other means.  During the rise of Communism and the forced internment of religious, the seizure of their properties,  Sister Eliška worked openly as a nurse and clandestinely as a leader to help others remain faithful in their religious beliefs.  When interrogated by the occupying regime, she accepted all blame for forbidden religious activities.

In 1954, the General Minister appointed Sister Eliška as the provincial minister of the Czech Province.  During the temporary liberation in the late 1960’s, she helped to establish the Secretariat of Religious Communities and pioneered liturgical reform according to the changes made by the Second Vatican Council.  In 1970, she began two terms as the General Minister of our congregation.  Upon return to her home country to renew her passport, she was subjected to humiliating interrogations.  After 14 months of detainment, the Vatican managed to convince the state officials to allow her to return to Rome to continue her service as leader of the congregation.  Sister Eliška died in 1993 and the process for her beatification process began in 2001.

A more detailed biography is found at the beginning of the Novena.