The second week of April was marked by celebrations for this precious birthday, in Šaštín, in the Home for the Elderly, where Fr. Jozef Hrdý currently lives. A native of Ostřetice, a Salesian priest and missionary, he is called by everyone simply by the name Don José. This is due to his nearly 40 years of work in Chile, where he was much loved, especially by young people. Indeed, relatives of his Chilean friends attended his centennial celebrations in Šaštín. Among them was Mrs. Edith Petty Sanchez, with her son Johathan. Their reunion with Don José after all these years was very moving. "Don José," Mrs. Sanchez recalled, "was a very good friend of my parents and was like a member of our family."
In a video message in Spanish, Rector Major, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime, now in Australia, also wished Don José well. "Enjoy your elder years and thank God for the gift of vocation," the Successor of Don Bosco greeted him. Then, on April 16, participants in the Mass of Thanksgiving, celebrated in the Basilica of Our Lady of Sorrows in Šaštín, listened to the entire speech with a Slovak translation.
Numerous relatives from the Topoľčany region and residents of Šaštín came to give thanks for the gift of life. Fr. Jose here is a highly respected priest, and so many remember his sermons and moments spent with him.
The Mass of thanksgiving was presided over by the Provincial of Slovakia, Fr. Peter Timko, who in his speech quoted the seventeenth article of the Salesian Constitutions, "The Salesian does not let himself be discouraged by difficulties, because he trusts the Father completely... Because he proclaims the Good News, he is always happy." In this, according to the Provincial, Fr. Jose was a convincing witness to the Risen Christ throughout his challenge-filled Salesian life.
At the end of the Mass, the hymn of thanksgiving "We Praise You God" (Te Deum) was sung throughout the Basilica. The celebrations in honor of Don Jose are also in addition to those for the 100th anniversary of Don Bosco's charismatic presence in Slovakia, which the Salesians of Don Bosco will commemorate in 2024.
