Preparing children for First Communion in Soviet Lithuania

ENThe Soviet constitution discriminated against religious believers by not allowing any religious propaganda, while atheist propaganda was enshrined in law. Catechisation of children was forbidden and persecuted during the Soviet era. Religious classes were not allowed, and the organisation of such classes in the Catholic Church was forbidden. However, catechesis did take place: parents, priests, nuns, but it was not only the adults who taught the children who were persecuted, but also the children themselves. However, this persecution had little effect because the government’s anti-religious activities were perceived as the workings of a government that was so disliked, ridiculed and embraced. Religious awareness was often linked to national identity and resistance. Of course, the religiousness of the people and the authority of the church and the priest, which was still quite high at that time, played a very important role in the attitudes of children and young people. It is important to mention that many priests, nuns and lay people were punished with imprisonment and other punishments for catechising children. Keywords: Mary, Lithuania, Soviet era, children’s catechesis, persecution.

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