The teaching of Blessed Bishop Meszlényi is still timely today

2009. 11. 03. 16:02 -

Bishop Zoltán Meszlényi has a special place among Hungarian saints and blesseds. He is the first among the victims of the Stalinist Church persecution to join the number of the blessed – Cardinal Péter Erdő said in his homily during the beatification ceremony in the Basilica of Esztergom on 31st October 2009.

The beatification was performed by Cardinal Péter Erdő, Primate, Archbishop of Esztergom–Budapest and Archbishop Angelo Amato, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints during a Holy Mass. Also present were: Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Juliusz Janusz, members of the Hungarian Catholic Bishops' Conference, Hungarian Bishops and Guest Bishops from outside the Hungarian border and many priests of the Archdiocese. The Basilica was crowded with faithful coming from within and beyond the boundaries, among whom were 41 members of the Collegium Germanicum Hungaricum, arriving from Rome, remembering that the new blessed used to study at that same institute. Cardinal Péter Erdő gave the institution a relic of the martyred Bishop. The ceremony was attended by former President Ferenc Mádl, representatives of the public and academic life and several members of the diplomatic corps.

After the penitential rite of the Mass, Andrea Ambrosi postulant and János Szőke SDB vicepostulant asked for the beatification of Bishop Zoltán Meszlényi, reading out a brief biography of the Bishop. Then Archbishop Angelo Amato, who represented the Holy Father, read out the apostolic letter about the beatification. The letter confirms the Holy Father's permission for the faithful to honour Zoltán Meszlényi as a blessed from now on. It also decrees that his liturgical memory be celebrated on his heavenly birthday, i.e. the 4^th of March. Finally the portrait of the new blessed was unveiled.

In his homily, Cardinal Péter Erdő emphasized that the mission of Christians is to announce Jesus Christ even if they are persecuted. The Holy Spirit, however, gives the ability and the strength for us to be able to openly witness Jesus. The life of the martyred Bishop Zoltán Meszlényi is an example of witness by a person fortified by the Holy Spirit – he said. He remembered the stages of the life of the new blessed and his thoughts revealing his steadfast faithfulness to the Church and the Holy Father. His teaching is still very timely today when we feel „trapped by our individual and common selfishness, short-sightedness, thirst for power, hatred – caught in a trap that we are unable to free ourselves from using our own strength" – the Cardinal said, asking for the intercession of Blessed Zoltán Meszlényi after his speech: „Pray for us all so the renewal of the hearts may help the world around us become better and happier and may lead to Christ as many people as possible."

In his speech, Archbishop Angelo Amato stressed: Zoltán Meszlényi will enhance the number of the blesseds and saints of the universal Church from now on. Martyrs never wish for hostility or conflicts; they teach us how to reconcile and pray. This is the teaching of Zoltán Meszlényi's martyrdom for both the Hungarian people and the universal Church – the Archbishop confirmed.

Magyar Kurír

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