The BALAKAT 50-hour Eucharistic Adoration Weekend officially began on Friday morning in Balatonfűzfő with its opening Holy Mass, celebrated by Archbishop Dr. György Udvardy of Veszprém. For many years now, the Archbishop has joined the faithful at the opening of this unique spiritual gathering centered on prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.
At the beginning of the celebration, parish priest Fr. Norbert Laposa welcomed the Archbishop and the participants. He recalled that last year the community had prayed together for the beatification of Blessed Mária Magdolna Bódi, while this year they were able to give thanks for the grace of her beatification and continue praying for her future canonization.
In his greeting, Archbishop Udvardy warmly welcomed both returning participants and those attending BALAKAT for the first time. He emphasized that the example of Blessed Mária Magdolna is a true source of grace for today’s faithful. Her perseverance, hope, creativity, love of prayer, commitment to evangelization and care for the poor continue to inspire the Church. The Archbishop offered the Holy Mass for all participants, praying that the coming fifty hours of Eucharistic adoration would strengthen everyone in clarity, courage and wise decision-making.
“I do will it. Be made clean.”
Reflecting on the Gospel account of Jesus healing the leper, Archbishop Udvardy highlighted that Christ’s proclamation of the Kingdom of God is always accompanied by acts of healing, restoration and new creation.
The leper, rejected by society and deprived of hope, nevertheless places his complete trust in Jesus, praying: “If you wish, you can make me clean.” The Archbishop pointed out that Jesus’ response — “I do will it. Be made clean.” — is much more than a miracle of healing. It is an act of new creation. Just as God created the world through His will, Christ recreates the human person, restoring dignity, hope and life.
Particular attention was given to Jesus touching the leper. The Archbishop explained that this gesture expresses closeness, compassion and solidarity. Christ is not afraid to share in humanity’s suffering. His gentle touch heals, restores communion and reveals God’s desire to walk alongside every person.
Drawing the faithful into personal reflection, Archbishop Udvardy encouraged everyone to bring their own wounds, fears and hopes before Christ during the fifty hours of adoration. The silence before the Eucharist, he said, allows God to speak to the human heart with the same creative love that once healed the leper.
The Archbishop concluded by reminding participants that every sincere prayer beginning with “If you will…” meets Christ’s loving response: “I do will it.” Through the Eucharist, the Lord continually renews His people and strengthens them to become living signs of God’s Kingdom.
A decade of prayer
Before the Blessed Sacrament was exposed for adoration, Fr. Norbert Laposa thanked Archbishop Udvardy for accompanying the community both at the previous evening’s lecture and at the opening Holy Mass.
He also shared an interesting milestone in the history of BALAKAT. Although the event was originally known simply as a 50-hour Eucharistic Adoration, next year’s gathering will mark the 10th anniversary of this uninterrupted tradition. With this year’s event included, participants have now spent more than 400 hours together in Eucharistic adoration over the past decade.
Following the Holy Mass, the Blessed Sacrament was solemnly exposed, and the faithful began the fifty hours of continuous prayer before the Eucharistic Lord.
