Filip Terčelj, Slovenian Priest, Writer, Poet, Publicist, Educator, Editor and Martyr
* February 2, 1892, Ajdovščina-Šturje, † January 7, 1946, Davča
Filip Terčelj saw the light of life on February 2, 1892 in Grivče, a village above Šturje. After completing primary school, the talented Lipče was sent to the Bishop’s Institute in Šentvid-Ljubljana, where he completed classical grammar school (1913). He then studied theology in Ljubljana and was ordained a priest on January 8, 1917. He celebrated a new mass in Ljubljana because his mother was terminally ill at home. After four years of chaplaincy service in Škofja Loka, his superiors advised him to continue his studies. He studied at the Faculty of Socio-Pedagogical Education in Cologne and achieved the title of Professor (Master) of Theology, after which he furthered his education at study courses on the method of leading educational work (according to the Kolping method) in Munich-Gladbach. From Germany he went to Gorizia, where he developed a versatile activity as an educational organizer, catechist and leader of school youth. He systematically organized educational work in the Gorizia region. The Educational Association, which he helped to establish and was its secretary, included 162 educational societies in the coastal villages in 1925.
For them, Terčelj published and mostly wrote himself the monthly magazine Naš čolnič (Our Boat) (1922-1928). He was also on the board of the Gorizia Mohor’s society, where in 1927 he published the book Za domačim ognjiščem. This ‘educational reading book’ emphasizes the principle that a nation must rely primarily on the family for its national and religious existence. In 1932, GMD published his catechism for the youngest entitled Mother Teaches the Child to Pray, which was very modern for those times. With composers Jožek Bratuž and Vinko Vodopivec, he collaborated on the publication of church hymnals: he wrote liturgical introductions and numerous texts for musical songs (Božji spevi has 48 of his lyrics, Gospodov dan 41, Zdrava Marija 25; his are, for example, O srečni dom nad zvezdami, Mir božji obema doline, gore, Presvete rane Jezusa). GMD also published his collection of sketches Ogorki (1935) and the story Vozniki (1940). He contributed articles, poems and sketches to GMD calendars and the monthly Družina.
The hardworking Terčelj was a thorn in the side of the fascists. On December 30, 1931, he was arrested, subjected to torture in the prisons of Gorizia and Koper, in an attempt to break his nerves, and then sentenced to five years of confinement (‘for his activities among the youth’) in Campobasso (central Italy). After one year of suffering, he was allowed to return home, but his superiors were not allowed to give him a job in the Slovenian part of the diocese. For two years, he waited in vain for priestly work at home in Grivče. When he learned that the fascists intended to arrest him again, he retreated to Yugoslavia, although he did so very reluctantly. He was a professor of religious studies at the Second State Gymnasium in Ljubljana and a house priest in a mental hospital.
He gathered young students and organized musical and theatrical performances, for which he often wrote the lyrics and music himself. The Ljubljana environment did not accept him, his heart drew him to his native people in Primorska. After the end of the war, he was persecuted by the communists – as before by the fascists. He was in prison for three months; he was left without a job and without a roof, so he went to his friend Franc Krašna, the parish priest in Sorica, and helped him with his work. He had no idea that they would soon be united in martyrdom.
Čuk S., Obletnica meseca, in: Ognjišče (1992) 2, p. 24.
Prayer for the glorification of the servant of God, the martyr Filip Terčelj
Almighty God, we thank you for the life of Filip Terčelj,
who, as a priest,
strove in the power of faith for Christian education, social awareness and national culture.
Glorify him so that he may be counted among the saints before the universal Church.
Through the intercession of Filip Terčelj, help us
to strive diligently for the common good in all areas of life
and to be faithful to the Gospel even in difficult moments, following his example.
We ask you for justice, forgiveness, reconciliation and peace in our nation.
May our relationship with members of other nations, cultures and religions be based on respect and love.
Revive our faith, heavenly Lord, protect us from sin, protect us from delusion.
May we be the people of Jesus. Lead us to the heavenly paradise, where we will be happy forever.
More: https://sites.google.com/view/filip-tercelj