The Great Parish of Our Lady of Budapest-Downtown is celebrating the 975th anniversary of its foundation. On the occasion of the jubilee, Cardinal Péter Erdő, Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, celebrated Mass on Saturday evening in the downtown parish church on Március 15 square.
Péter Erdő spoke at the beginning of the Mass: we can be proud of our predecessors, who showed that here, on the banks of the Danube, a Catholic community life can and should be lived. This is pride
"it also obliges us to be able to survive in today's changing situations and pass on our faith in an attractive way".
In his homily, the head pastor emphasized: 975 years is a historic time in the life of a church, a parish, but also in the life of a nation. This parish, this church, was a "royal church" from the beginning and belonged directly to the Archbishop of Esztergom, even when the area around it was still part of the Diocese of Váci.
The cardinal added: the kings certainly attributed such importance to the church because the area along the Danube was already considered a place of worship at the beginning of Hungarian Christianity, and even the Romans already considered this bridgehead as a strategic point, where a place of worship developed.
Péter Erdő said that on the occasion of the significant anniversary, a missionary year begins in the parish. He added: above the mission crosses standing at the entrance of the churches, the phrase "Save your soul!" can often be read. his message is still relevant today.
Here and now, in the midst of all historical uncertainties and difficulties, we must seek salvation for ourselves, our loved ones and all members of our people, following the teachings of Christ
he added.
The cardinal also emphasized: "we have in our hands the divine invitation to eternal happiness", and if we "take this seriously once, then even here on earth, order, peace and joy will reign in our lives.
Then we will distinguish the important from the insignificant, the good from the bad"
Péter Erdő said.
In his greeting, parish priest Zoltán Osztie said: the 975-year history of the parish is the heritage of the community, a resource that obliges them to pass on the treasure they received from their predecessors. The parish community celebrates the 975-year jubilee church farewell with a multi-day program, holy masses, and 24-hour adoration. After the farewell mass on Tuesday evening, a candlelit procession will be held in the city center.
The community also dedicates a commemorative year to the anniversary with a series of concerts and cultural and spiritual programs.
The events of the commemorative year can be found on the community's website, belvarosiplebania.hu.
Ma7.sk
Featured image: Ambrus Marcsi
