Sister Regina Milas

The school sisters of St. Francis stayed in Čapljina for almost nine years, from August 1936 to February 1945, yet they left a lasting mark. Sister Regina Milas forever recorded the presence of the Franciscan sisters in Čapljina with her martyr's death.

Sister Regina Milas was born in Tihaljina on August 3, 1915, named Šima, to father Jakov and mother Matija Perić. She was exceptionally gifted and an excellent student, whom her parents sent to Mostar to the Jakopić family after finishing elementary school in her hometown at the age of 14. She stayed there for three years, and the family liked her so much that they wanted to adopt her, but she refused. Šima helped Mrs. Jakopić with household chores, and she enabled her further education. During her stay in Mostar, she met the nuns at the orphanage, and due to her constant connection with them, she wished to become a nun herself.

Šima, full of life, beautiful, accustomed to civil life, educated, could choose the fiancé she wanted, but she chose to "become the bride of Christ".

The parish priest in Tihaljina was Father Petar Sesar, who received Šima Milas's request and prepared a recommendation for her to the nuns in Mostar so that they would accept her into their community in Mostar.

It is interesting to note that Father Petar Sesar, in 1942, on the same day as Sister Regina Milas, February 2, ended his earthly life with a martyr's death.

The administration of the sisters from Mostar accepted Šima Milas as a postulant on March 17, 1934. She was admitted to the postulancy on September 18, 1936, and to the novitiate on March 19, 1937. Upon her admission to the novitiate, the provincial superior Sister Gertruda Neuwirth gave her the religious name Sister Regina.

Sister Regina made her temporary vows on March 20, 1938, and her perpetual vows on March 25, 1942. She completed a vocational school in sewing and handicrafts in Mostar. She first worked in the sisters' convent in Mostar, then in the Franciscan convent in Široki Brijeg; then in Opuzeno, as Sister Emilija Vasilja claims; later as a public school teacher in Međugorje; and finally as a professional teaching sister in Čapljina, where she experienced her transition to Eternity.

Those who knew Sister Regina said she was beautiful, with black hair and black eyes, of medium height, cheerful by nature, and full of humor. A sociable and hardworking nun, but above all, pious. Sister Emilija Vasilj, who lived with her for a long time, emphasized that Sister Regina was open, persistent, and fearless, while other sisters noted that she belonged to those who prayed a lot.

With the arrival of partisans in Čapljina in 1944, the work of the professional women's school and kindergarten in Čapljina was interrupted, and three sisters withdrew through Križevac to Međugorje, while Sister Regina remained steadfast, believing that she had done no harm to anyone and did not want to leave her people. "Whatever happens to you, let it happen to me."

And so she did, she stayed with her people until the end. Sister Regina, like the other martyrs from Čapljina on that second of February 1945, was not a victim of war, she did not die in open combat. They were captured by enemies and killed without any trial because they were believers and members of the Croatian people. And she, noble and firmly believing in Christ, face to face with death, knelt and crossed herself with her gaze towards Heaven. While soldiers aimed their weapons at her, she calmly took off her watch and offered it to her killers as a sign of forgiveness.

Her brave act is preserved from oblivion by the Parish of St. Francis of Assisi in Čapljina, through prayer and song.

The song “Martyrs of the World” - https://youtu.be/f3Pk0YSkG38?si=fG9jkAXBmKSOHlq7

Young Sister Regina Milas, the martyr from Čapljina, whose statue is located in the garden of Sister Regina behind the Church of St. Francis of Assisi in Čapljina, is indeed a symbol of courage during those times of suffering and hardship. She did not flee even though she had many opportunities; she stayed, fought for her principles, and was with her people.