The Holy Father receives the Hungarian pilgrims in a private hearing.

A national pilgrimage will be held in Rome between April 23 and 25, on the anniversary of Pope Francis' apostolic visit to Hungary in 2023; the pilgrims will also be received by the head of the Catholic Church - read the announcement of the Hungarian Catholic Bishops' Conference (MKPK) on Thursday after the regular spring meeting.

On all three days of the pilgrimage, there will be a Mass in Hungarian in one of the large Roman basilicas.

On the first afternoon, there will be a joint mass in the Lateran Basilica from 16:00, and on Wednesday, April 24, from 10:00 in the St. Paul's Basilica.

On the closing day of the national pilgrimage, April 25, Pope Francis VI. He will receive the Hungarian pilgrims in a private hearing in the Pál hall, after which a Hungarian-language mass is expected to take place in St. Peter's Basilica at 11:00 a.m.

Those who come individually can indicate their participation in the Mass by e-mail at zarandoklat2024@katolikus.hu.

In the announcement of the MKPK, they also mentioned: Pope Francis announced a Jubilee Holy Year for 2025, and in preparation for the Holy Year, he announced a year of prayer for 2024.

In connection with this, the dioceses organize their own programs and liturgical events and encourage parish and church communities to do the same.

According to the decision of Pope Francis, the first World Children's Day will be held in Rome on the last weekend of May 2024. The Holy Father also wrote a message for the event, in which he urges: "don't forget those who are still very young, who are already struggling with illnesses and difficulties in hospitals or at home, who are victims of war and violence (.) and abuse. In a word, about all those children whose childhoods are still cruelly stolen".

MKPK also joins the series of programs, several dioceses in Hungary organize colorful children's programs on the last summer weekend of May.

According to the announcement, the Catholic Social Days (KATTÁRS) will be held between September 27 and 29, 2024. This year's event will be hosted by Budapest, and its motto will be: "Be present!". The central theme of the series of events will be Catholic education. In addition to Masses, the program includes concerts, exhibitions, conferences, round table discussions and stage productions.

The body of bishops decided to start training for senior pastorates. The mentors trained by them will be tasked with organizing small communities and programs at the parish level.

In the announcement, they mentioned: this year, the conference is organizing a Lenten non-perishable food collection under the title Lasting love for the 13th time. The faithful can place their offerings in the churches or drop them off at the collection points listed on the Catholic Caritász website until Sunday.

It is also possible to get involved in the helping work of the charity worker by donating online or by calling the telephone number 1356. Each call means a HUF 500 contribution to support the needy.

In 2024, as in previous years, the Karitászt Támogato Alapítvány will gladly accept donations of 1 percent from personal income tax, with which the faithful can also support the daily mission of the aid organization.

This year, the Hungarian Catholic Church is also trying to help inform donors during the 1 percent campaign. The recently launched #nekamazeghyzaz series is intended to show the social role of the Catholic Church.

As you know, anyone who submits a personal income tax return is entitled to dispose of 1+1 percent of their tax. You can make this provision by filling out the form called 24EGYSZA or on the website eszja.nav.gov.hu. The declaration for the technical staff of an established church submitted in 2018 is valid until a new declaration is submitted or the declaration is withdrawn, and it will also be taken into account by the NAV in 2024.

The MKPK asks that those who do not have to pay taxes because of the discounts also donate 1 percent of their taxes to the Hungarian Catholic Church. The state distributes the additional support provided to churches based on the number of holders, which includes the offer of zero forints.

MTI

Cover image: In the image published by the Prime Minister's Office, Pope Francis leaves Budapest at Ferenc Liszt Airport on September 12, 2021.
From right, Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjén. The head of the Catholic Church came to the capital for the closing mass of the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress (NEK). Source: MTI/Prime Ministership/Gergely Botár