Berkley Center

Background: As part of the Education and Social Justice Project, in May 2016 undergraduate student Sarah Jannarone interviewed Miha Prelog, an undergraduate student at the University of Maribor and a member of Sinaj, a Catholic student group, in Maribor, Slovenia. In this interview, Prelog discusses his experience as a member of the Catholic community in Maribor.

Can you introduce yourself?

I am currently in my third year of my bachelor’s degree studying chemistry and chemical technology. Before attending university, I went to the Catholic high school in Maribor. This is one of four Catholic high schools in Slovenia. I will be 23 years old next week.

Were you a part of Catholic groups in high school?

Not really. At the school there were only two Masses at the beginning and end of the year that we had to attend. There were occasional weekend retreats. There was also a subject all four years called religion and culture, and the last year was dedicated to Christianity.

Why did you choose to live in a state dorm?

I usually have something in the morning and afternoon, and my dorm is right next to my department building at the university, so the location is convenient.

Did you have the option to live at [Jesuit College] Magis?

Yes, I knew I could live there, but I had already made the place where I’m staying like home. Though now I am thinking about moving because I’d like some change. I’m considering Magis because I know the community. I consider those people to be my friends. I know them from Sinaj.

I started to go there last school year after finding out about it from my neighbor. It’s one of the few places where I feel comfortable talking about the issues that we sometimes get to discuss together, like abstinence. If I talk about that to my peers at school they don’t understand. People at school usually aren’t very religious, or at least not openly.

In general what do you think attracts students to Magis?

I think it’s a community where the residents feel like they belong. Those living at Magis have a religious background. They most likely practiced a traditional type of religion, like going to Mass every Sunday, but some of them are now trying to live their personal faith. By personal faith I mean not only going to Mass, but also living their faith every day. It’s harder to live your faith without support. If you don’t have this community, it’s a little bit difficult to find a foothold somewhere.

This is unique because even if people are religious they don’t feel a part of a community, like a part of their parish. I think younger people have issues belonging in their parishes because it’s mostly geared towards older people. For me that’s a bit of a problem in the village where I live, even though I work with the priest to help run Mass on Sundays. There aren’t very many opportunities to become involved, though in some communities there are youth groups lead by priests.

Why are these Catholic organizations important for university students?

They help in our personal development. At this time in our lives we are changing, and these organizations help us to channel that change into something good and help us to find a purpose. They also give you opportunities. For example, through an event organized by Sinaj I was able to serve as an English translator and develop my skills in that area.

How does a sense of community relate to education?

I have more energy and patience for studying because I know that I have people are behind me. It helps because you know that someone actually cares.