Berkley Center

Background: As part of the Education and Social Justice Project, in June 2016 undergraduate student Sarah Jannarone interviewed Sara Zadnik and Simon Brezovnik, who during the 2015-2016 academic year were undergraduate students at the University of Maribor, Catholic Scout leaders, and members of the Sinaj Catholic student group. In this interview, they discuss the Catholic student community in Maribor and share their perspective on the Jesuit College Magis.

Can you tell me a bit about yourselves?

Zadnik: I study psychology in Maribor, but I come from Velenje. In my free time I am a Catholic Scout leader. I lead the cubs, or the scouts that are 8 to 10 years old.

Brezovnik: I just finished my bachelor’s degree in math and chemistry. I’d like to teach in elementary or high school. I am a Catholic Scout leader for the oldest age group of scouts who are 16 to 21 years old. I also sing with Sara in two choirs, including the Sinaj student choir.

Is scouting a popular activity in Slovenia?

Brezovnik: There are around 5,000 Catholic Scouts in Slovenia. During the time of Yugoslavia the Catholic Scout organization was forbidden to operate, and a secular scouting group existed and still does. In 1991 when Slovenia became independent Catholic Scouts was allowed to operate again.

How do you think Catholic community groups fulfill a need in Maribor?

Brezovnik: Well, as for Magis, it’s a very young organization. But I think this start is really good because when we discussed about making this, we started to talk about it last June, and now it is full of students inside.

Zadnik: But because of Magis there is less participation at Sinaj.

Brezovnik: Every Thursday there’s a movie night at Sinaj, and there aren’t a lot of people that come. We heard that there is a movie night at Magis on Thursdays, so the people that are a part of Sinaj but that live in Magis now spend much more time there than at Sinaj activities.

Why didn’t you choose to live at Magis?

Brezovnik: We already have a really great apartment for a really good price. It would have been stupid to move.

Zadnik: We are getting married and so we need an apartment, not just a room. After a wedding it’s better to live alone rather than in a community. But we are actually at Magis every day because we are growing some flowers for our wedding in the garden here.

How are these organizations important for Catholic university students?

Zadnik: Well, I think without Catholic friends, sometimes we aren’t brave enough to show that we are Catholic. Many people judge Catholics, especially in my field of study. Many psychologists are against religion and consider it a fairy tale.

Brezovnik: I think I can speak my opinion and say that I’m Catholic. I just don’t always want to because it seems like it won’t change people’s opinions. Some professors talk like religion is nonsense and that you aren’t mature if you believe. I don’t think it’s worth it to discuss big things like this. If I see that it is important for me to talk about it I will; I can have a conversation about it with a non-religious person. I don’t think everyone thinks I’m bad because I’m a Catholic, but I don’t ever raise the issue because people usually just want to argue about it.

Everyone knows we are Catholic. Sara is in a more difficult situation because they can be judgmental at the psychology department at the university. In the math and chemistry department I have less of a problem because the subject matter that we discuss is more theoretical.

Why would someone choose to live at Magis?

Zadnik: Community. It’s quiet.

Brezovnik: It’s also really good for this price.

Can community be found elsewhere in Maribor?

Zadnik: In other dormitories you only cook for yourself, you don’t have activities together, and at Magis there are men and women living together. In other Catholic dormitories there is also a community, but it’s not mixed. Most people at the state dorms are there to have fun and party. It’s hard to make really tight connections.

How do students at Magis form connections with one another?

Brezovnik: I think the first thing is that the community members share the same way of thinking. Secondly, there are activities to connect them like Mass, discussions, and events like Women’s Night. There are also open areas for people to hang around with each other, like the library. That is not common in the state dorms.

How do these Catholic community groups promote social justice?

Zadnik: I just see Magis as an institution that accepts Christians, but it doesn't fight for equality.

Brezovnik: Magis is more of a place for its residents to improve themselves, not a place to help everyone.

How are organizations like Sinaj and Magis important for Catholic university students?

Zadnik: I think that Magis is important for students who live here, but Sinaj is for all Catholic students. Sinaj is more important because everyone can go there who wants to improve their faith or if they want to be accepted. Magis is just a dormitory.

Are there other Catholic communities in Maribor?

The Franciscans has a group, but I don’t know if that is something for all Catholic students, or for just those that live in their student dorm. There’s also scouting and involvement in charity organizations, but specifically for students it’s really only Sinaj.

How does Sinaj provide cura personalis?

Brezovnik: There was an idea that Sinaj members should start a football group. We talked about it, but it hasn’t been realized yet. As far as the opportunity for spiritual care, we go on retreats on some weekends and discuss any questions we have about our faith and exchange our opinion.

Zadnik: Also, on movie nights we discuss the movie afterwards and talk about our opinion and any questions we had about it.

What are you most proud of?

Zadnik: I’m the most proud of our relationship and my Scout career.

Brezovnik: Yes, our relationship. And I think I am really proud that I am not like a sheep. I do what I want to do.