{"id":3018,"date":"2026-01-19T15:17:36","date_gmt":"2026-01-19T14:17:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bodimariamagdolna.hu\/?p=3018"},"modified":"2026-01-19T15:23:38","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T14:23:38","slug":"the-example-of-saint-margaret-of-the-arpad-dynasty-and-the-gift-of-blessed-bodi-maria-magdolna-strengthen-a-community-called-to-holiness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bodimariamagdolna.hu\/en\/the-example-of-saint-margaret-of-the-arpad-dynasty-and-the-gift-of-blessed-bodi-maria-magdolna-strengthen-a-community-called-to-holiness\/","title":{"rendered":"The Example of Saint Margaret of the \u00c1rp\u00e1d Dynasty and the Gift of Blessed B\u00f3di M\u00e1ria Magdolna Strengthen a Community Called to Holiness"},"content":{"rendered":"

At the feast of the parish of Saint Margaret of the \u00c1rp\u00e1d Dynasty in Veszpr\u00e9m, the solemn Holy Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Dr. Gy\u00f6rgy Udvardy<\/strong>. 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\u2014a true \u201cbath of the soul,\u201d through which, by listening to the Word of God and receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we may prepare ourselves to receive God\u2019s gifts.<\/p>\n

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 \u00c1rp\u00e1d Dynasty is a feast of the call to holiness\u2014a 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.<\/p>\n

A Special Gift:<\/h3>\n

The Relic of Blessed B\u00f3di M\u00e1ria Magdolna and the Diocesan \u201cPath of Thanksgiving\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

The celebration also opened a wider diocesan perspective. The Archbishop recalled that on the feast day, the relic of Blessed B\u00f3di M\u00e1ria Magdolna<\/strong>, 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 M\u00e1rfi<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

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 B\u00f3di M\u00e1ria Magdolna is being placed in the churches of the diocese, accompanied by a Book of Thanksgiving<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The Purpose of the Book of Thanksgiving<\/h3>\n

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\u2019s intercession;
second\u2014according to the order of the Church\u2014to serve, in the future, as possible support in the process toward canonization.<\/p>\n

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:
\u201cWe are heirs of the saints,\u201d he said\u2014and the lives of the saints always draw their strength from Christ\u2019s self-giving love.<\/p>\n

The Gospel of the Feast: The Parable of the Ten Virgins<\/h3>\n

The Gospel proclaimed at the feast was the parable of the ten virgins, in which Jesus calls us to live with inner readiness\u2014with \u201coil in our lamps\u201d\u2014in vigilant fidelity, since we do not know the hour of our encounter with the Lord.<\/p>\n

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\u2014because our life itself is \u201ca celebration in God.\u201d It also emphasizes personal responsibility: good deeds cannot be borrowed; each person responds with their own life. Finally, it highlights the spirit of vigilance\u2014an attentive watchfulness that keeps the heart anchored in Christ\u2019s presence.<\/p>\n

Saint Margaret\u2019s Life as a Tangible Witness<\/h3>\n

In the life of Saint Margaret of the \u00c1rp\u00e1d 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\u2014all flowing from belonging to God. The Archbishop noted that while Margaret\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Witnesses of Faith, Side by Side<\/h3>\n

One of the strongest threads of the homily was the way the Archbishop placed great witnesses of faith alongside one another. He recalled that J\u00f3zsef Mindszenty<\/strong>, as Bishop of Veszpr\u00e9m, consciously chose the image of Saint Margaret of the \u00c1rp\u00e1d Dynasty for his coat of arms in order to strengthen the spirit of holiness, peace, and atonement within the diocese.
\u201cWe have received a call to holiness,\u201d the Archbishop recalled from Mindszenty\u2019s words, adding: Veszpr\u00e9m is the land of saints\u2014Pannonia Sacra<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

From there, he turned toward Blessed B\u00f3di M\u00e1ria Magdolna<\/strong>. While many historical details are unknown, her life clearly shows how the diocese\u2019s pastoral care\u2014attention to the poor, the organization of communities, and faith formation\u2014created 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.<\/p>\n

In Magdi\u2019s 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\u2014even unto the sacrifice of her life. In this way, the Archbishop presented the living tradition of faith: Christ\u2019s 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\u2014it is building the future.<\/p>\n

A Silent Testimony: The Image, the Smile, and the Book of Thanksgiving<\/h3>\n

As the Mass drew to a close, Kriszti\u00e1n Tornav\u00f6lgyi<\/strong>, Archdiocesan Office Director, Dean, and Parish Priest, reminded the faithful that on this day the image of Blessed B\u00f3di M\u00e1ria Magdolna is being placed in every church of the diocese. Through Magdi\u2019s smile, he said, we are reminded of the smile of the \u201cLamb of God\u201d\u2014Christ, who takes away the sins of the world and leads us home to the Father.<\/p>\n

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\u2014so that through one another\u2019s testimonies, we may be strengthened on our shared journey.<\/p>\n

At the conclusion of the liturgy, the community\u2014together with the Archbishop\u2014processed to the entrance of the church, where the image of Blessed B\u00f3di M\u00e1ria Magdolna and the Book of Thanksgiving were solemnly placed.<\/p>\n

\n

Saint Margaret\u2019s Relic and Mindszenty\u2019s Promise: A History of Fidelity<\/h3>\n

The closing section recalled the Veszpr\u00e9m history of Saint Margaret\u2019s 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 J\u00f3zsef Mindszenty<\/strong> founded the Saint Margaret parish in Veszpr\u00e9m 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\u2019s relic to Father J\u00f3zsef Szemes at the episcopal palace, and in the spring of 1946, a great crowd of faithful accompanied the relic to the Margaret Church.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

A Call Toward the Future<\/h3>\n

Before the final blessing, the Archbishop quoted Mindszenty\u2019s motto: Pannonia Sacra \u2013 Veszpr\u00e9m, the land of saints<\/strong>. He added that the desire for holiness flows from our belonging to Christ and cannot be abandoned.
\u201cThe saints of the future are sitting here,\u201d he said\u2014parents, children, spouses, grandparents\u2014each of us called to strengthen one another in striving for holiness.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"At the feast of the parish of Saint Margaret of the \u00c1rp\u00e1d Dynasty in Veszpr\u00e9m, the solemn Holy Mass was celebrated by Archbishop \n <\/a>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3018","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bodimariamagdolna.hu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3018","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bodimariamagdolna.hu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bodimariamagdolna.hu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bodimariamagdolna.hu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bodimariamagdolna.hu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3018"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.bodimariamagdolna.hu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3018\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3019,"href":"https:\/\/www.bodimariamagdolna.hu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3018\/revisions\/3019"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bodimariamagdolna.hu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3018"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bodimariamagdolna.hu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3018"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bodimariamagdolna.hu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3018"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}