Antonija Premrov

Antonija Premrov, sister Karmela (2 June 1912 – disappeared 14 January 1949, died some days after) was a Slovenian nurse, organist, and choirmistress. She was martyred by Communists because of her successful work with youth in her parish.

Early life Antonija was born into a devout Slovenian family on 2 June 1914, in Martinjak. Her mother was the farmer Marija Brence (1883–1967), and her father was the farmer Franc Premrov (1874–1948). She received the sacrament of confirmation on June 19, 1921. She trained as a nurse at the Vincentinum Institute in Ljubljana.

Work After completing her studies in 1931, she started to work as a nurse at the sanatorium in the Šlajmer House, which was run by the Sisters of Mary of the Miraculous Medal, where she was employed for sixteen years. In 1947, the communist authorities closed the convent. Antonija Karmela was dismissed from her job at the sanatorium. At the request of the parish priest of the Cerknica parish, which at the time had no organist, she took on the role of organist and choirmistress. At Christmas in 1948, someone hid her sheet music, and when she wanted to play at Mass, it was nowhere to be found. After the abduction, she was tortured for several days, then killed and thrown into Lake Cerknica.