Do what he says! Gypsy pastoral care in Máriapócs

From August 6th to August 8th, the co-workers present in the service gathered in Máriapócs from all over the country and beyond our borders for a national gypsy pastoral retreat. The motto of the meeting was given by Mary's words from the Book of Revelation: "Do what he says!"

Among other things, Roman and Greek Catholic bishops teach at the spiritual replenishment, following the life journey of the Mother of God.

One hundred and thirty participants in the Gypsy pastorate signed up for the retreat. After Szombathely and Nagykálló, this year the Máripócs national shrine will host the meeting, which is becoming traditional. During the three days, after the opening Mass, during which Ferenc Palánki, Diocese Bishop of Debrecen-Nyíregyháza, taught about the Transfiguration of Our Lord, János Székely, Diocese Bishop of Szombathely, Ábel Szocska, Bishop of Nyíregyháza, Fülöp Kocsis, Archbishop-Metropolitan of the Archdiocese of Hajdúdorog, Gábor Mohos, Auxiliary Bishop of Esztergom-Budapest, and Ádám Miklós and Father Győző Balogh reflects on Mária's example. During the Saturday, they were also expecting Münkacsi County Bishop Antal Majnek and Miskolc Bishop Atanáz Orosz.

This year's retreat was organized by Anna Bángi-Magyar, the professional head of the Boldog Ceferino Institute, Rita Oroszné Obbágy, the Nyíregyházi Diocese's Gypsy Pastoral Commissioner, the Venerable Lady of the Máriapócs National Shrine, and Zsófia Dánielné Salamon Csupor, the curator of the Boldog Cerefino Foundation, with the bishop responsible for Gypsy pastoral care of the Hungarian Catholic Bishops' Conference. , with János Székely. In addition to meditation, they also provide the opportunity for quiet immersion in sacramental worship, confession, the Way of the Cross, and participation in Greek Catholic ceremonies.

At the opening mass on Friday afternoon, the crucifix from Csatka was ceremoniously brought to the center of the church, between the icon of the weeping Mary and the altar of the Holy Cross, where the relic of Christ's cross is kept.

After the Holy Mass, Ábel Szocska introduced the participants to each other in the conference hall of Családvár, followed by János Székely's lecture on the angelic welcome. At the beginning of his speech, the bishop emphasized that gypsy ministry is not easy, but neither is the Christian path. He thanked the work of all those who participate in the integration, through whom good relations are born.

Have you said the big yes of your life to God unconditionally and irrevocably? János Székely asked the spiritual practitioners. "If not, what keeps you from it?"

From the scene of the angel's welcome, he highlighted that although Mary did not understand the message, she still said yes to the call in the darkness of faith. He apparently did not accomplish a great thing, like Moses, who led his people out of Egypt, yet he did the most powerful human act: he said the total yes, for which God had been waiting for so long.

Source and full article: magyarkurir.hu

Photos: Zita Merényi/Hungarian Kurir