Folia Theologica 7. (1996)

József Török: History of the St. Paul order (A critical Study)

190

J. TOROK

national economy. The elimination of the orders started in 1782. In Hungary 134 monasteries and 6 cloisters were closed. On 7th February 1786 Emperor Joseph II. signed the order eliminating the Pauline Order. The order had at that time 313 members living in 24 monasteries and residencies.

The broken palm could sprout after the Turkish occupation. The Pauline Order was unable to overcome totally even up to now the mortal disasters that hit the palm at the end of the 18th century.

History of the Order in Recent Times

The resettlement of the monks to Hungary was hindered by the lack of enterprising monks. The Tsarism limited the number of the monks. In 1918 Poland became free from the Tsarism and the monastery of Krakow unified again with that of Czçstochowa. The Constitution, which was modified in the spirit of the Canonic Codex of 1917 and approved in 1930, brought new life of enthusiasm into the monasteries. The new Constitution reflected the old spirit and active character of the Paulines. Piusz P. Przezdiecki provost elected in 1931 obviously intended to meet the requirements of the Hungarian society.

In 1932 Piusz P. Przezdziecki provost visited the rock church under construction in Buda and visited Pécs as well. Since then he has supported more effectively the resettlement. Upon his intervention the resettlement of the Paulines into the monastery near the rock church of Budapest was permitted by Jusztinján Serédi prime-primate from 1st January 1933.

On 8th May 1934 started the delegation with the leadership of Gyula Zichy and Gyula Pfeiffer to Czestochowa to bring back the Paulines. The provost also accompanied his sons on 12. May. There were sixteen monks in the group, as many as were sent to Czçstochowa from Márianosztra in 1382.

The introduction ceremony was held on 21st May, on Whitsun Monday. The church and the monastery were consecrated in the presence of about fifty thousand people by Jusztinián Serédi.

The monastic life started in the new noviciate of Pécs on 25th October 1934 on the day of Blessed Mór, Bishop of Pécs. The clerics