At the feast of the parish of Saint Margaret of the Árpád Dynasty in Veszprém, the solemn Holy Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Dr. György Udvardy. The liturgy was marked by special spiritual depth: the Archbishop emphasized that the parish feast is not merely a tradition, but a moment of grace—a true “bath of the soul,” through which, by listening to the Word of God and receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we may prepare ourselves to receive God’s gifts.
In his greeting, the Archbishop expressed his gratitude to all those who supported the spiritual preparation of the community during the triduum and the days of the feast. He highlighted that the celebration of Saint Margaret of the Árpád Dynasty is a feast of the call to holiness—a living assurance that following Christ is not an abstract ideal, but a concrete way of life already lived by countless saints and blesseds before us.
A Special Gift:
The Relic of Blessed Bódi Mária Magdolna and the Diocesan “Path of Thanksgiving”
The celebration also opened a wider diocesan perspective. The Archbishop recalled that on the feast day, the relic of Blessed Bódi Mária Magdolna, donated to the parish, was officially and solemnly placed for veneration. He also emphasized that this day marks the anniversary of an important moment fifteen years ago, when Archbishop Gyula Márfi solemnly announced the diocesan phase of the beatification process. That faithful and persevering work over many years led to the grace the diocese experienced in the celebration of her beatification.
The Archbishop explained that precisely so this gift may be lived not merely as a memory but as a pastoral resource, the official image of Blessed Bódi Mária Magdolna is being placed in the churches of the diocese, accompanied by a Book of Thanksgiving.
The Purpose of the Book of Thanksgiving
The purpose of the book is twofold:
first, to gather testimonies in which the faithful give thanks to God while seeking and trusting in Magdi’s intercession;
second—according to the order of the Church—to serve, in the future, as possible support in the process toward canonization.
The Archbishop reminded the faithful that beatification is a stage pointing toward canonization, and that these written expressions of gratitude are not merely personal memories but testimonies rooted in the communion of saints:
“We are heirs of the saints,” he said—and the lives of the saints always draw their strength from Christ’s self-giving love.
The Gospel of the Feast: The Parable of the Ten Virgins
The Gospel proclaimed at the feast was the parable of the ten virgins, in which Jesus calls us to live with inner readiness—with “oil in our lamps”—in vigilant fidelity, since we do not know the hour of our encounter with the Lord.
In his homily, the Archbishop explained that this parable was foundational for the early Church, as it reveals both the nature of the Kingdom of God and the attitude of those who belong to Christ. It speaks of the dignity of being invited, of election, of the call to the feast—because our life itself is “a celebration in God.” It also emphasizes personal responsibility: good deeds cannot be borrowed; each person responds with their own life. Finally, it highlights the spirit of vigilance—an attentive watchfulness that keeps the heart anchored in Christ’s presence.
Saint Margaret’s Life as a Tangible Witness
In the life of Saint Margaret of the Árpád Dynasty, all of this becomes almost tangible: the striving for holiness, the embrace of the simplest forms of service, prayer and atonement, and the labor for peace—all flowing from belonging to God. The Archbishop noted that while Margaret’s initial dedication was a parental decision, when she personally embraced her vocation, she consciously and faithfully accepted a life of atonement for her people and her nation.
Witnesses of Faith, Side by Side
One of the strongest threads of the homily was the way the Archbishop placed great witnesses of faith alongside one another. He recalled that József Mindszenty, as Bishop of Veszprém, consciously chose the image of Saint Margaret of the Árpád Dynasty for his coat of arms in order to strengthen the spirit of holiness, peace, and atonement within the diocese.
“We have received a call to holiness,” the Archbishop recalled from Mindszenty’s words, adding: Veszprém is the land of saints—Pannonia Sacra.
From there, he turned toward Blessed Bódi Mária Magdolna. While many historical details are unknown, her life clearly shows how the diocese’s pastoral care—attention to the poor, the organization of communities, and faith formation—created the environment from which her mission could grow. The Archbishop recalled a particularly moving image: in December 1944, amid the closeness of war, fear, and uncertainty, Magdi organized a celebration so that people would not lose heart, would not abandon their desire for holiness, and would not forget those in need.
In Magdi’s life, striving for holiness was not an ornament, but a concrete reality: love for the poor, apostolic zeal, and finally the fidelity expressed in her commitment to her vow of purity—even unto the sacrifice of her life. In this way, the Archbishop presented the living tradition of faith: Christ’s self-giving is handed on through the lives of the saints, and the example of the saints gives a future to the community. This is not nostalgia—it is building the future.
A Silent Testimony: The Image, the Smile, and the Book of Thanksgiving
As the Mass drew to a close, Krisztián Tornavölgyi, Archdiocesan Office Director, Dean, and Parish Priest, reminded the faithful that on this day the image of Blessed Bódi Mária Magdolna is being placed in every church of the diocese. Through Magdi’s smile, he said, we are reminded of the smile of the “Lamb of God”—Christ, who takes away the sins of the world and leads us home to the Father.
The Book of Thanksgiving placed beside the image is a quiet instrument of gratitude and witness: an opportunity to write down the gifts received, what we wish to learn from Magdi, and where we ask for her intercession in following Christ—so that through one another’s testimonies, we may be strengthened on our shared journey.
At the conclusion of the liturgy, the community—together with the Archbishop—processed to the entrance of the church, where the image of Blessed Bódi Mária Magdolna and the Book of Thanksgiving were solemnly placed.
Saint Margaret’s Relic and Mindszenty’s Promise: A History of Fidelity
The closing section recalled the Veszprém history of Saint Margaret’s relic, beautifully linking the life of the church, the parish, and its shepherds. It was recalled that on December 3, 1944, during Arrow Cross imprisonment, Bishop József Mindszenty founded the Saint Margaret parish in Veszprém while being held in the local police prison. Later, as Archbishop of Esztergom, he remained faithful to his promise: on January 25, 1946, he handed over Saint Margaret’s relic to Father József Szemes at the episcopal palace, and in the spring of 1946, a great crowd of faithful accompanied the relic to the Margaret Church.
This story conveys a powerful message: promises made in faith, pastoral fidelity, and devotion to the saints give strength even in the most difficult times.
A Call Toward the Future
Before the final blessing, the Archbishop quoted Mindszenty’s motto: Pannonia Sacra – Veszprém, the land of saints. He added that the desire for holiness flows from our belonging to Christ and cannot be abandoned.
“The saints of the future are sitting here,” he said—parents, children, spouses, grandparents—each of us called to strengthen one another in striving for holiness.
Thus, the parish feast became both thanksgiving and mission: the example of Saint Margaret, the courageous faith of Mindszenty, and the joyful, sacrificial witness of Magdi invite us to build the future in Christ. The image and the Book of Thanksgiving placed in our churches help ensure that this grace does not remain a passing celebration, but becomes a daily, formational force that strengthens the community.