Commemoration at the memorial site in plot 301 at the New Public Cemetery

The National Heritage Institute held a memorial service to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the death of Blessed Stephen Sándor on 8 June 2023, in Budapest, at the memorial site in plot 301 at the New Public Cemetery, where he was buried in an unmarked grave until he was identified in 2018. Speeches were given by Réka Földváryné Kiss, President of the National Memorial Committee; Gábor Móczár, Director General of the National Heritage Institute; and János Andrásfalvy, Hungarian Salesian Provincial, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony and the lighting of candles in memory of Blessed Stephen Sándor SDB.

Commemoration ceremony at the Clarisseum by reading the scenes of Blessed Brother Stephen Sándor’s life

The reading of scenes from his Salesian life was commemorated in Újpest with a solemn Mass, a memorial service, a candlelight procession, and a litany in the presence of his relic in the IV district of Budapest, at the Clarisseum, where Blessed Stephen Sándor lived and worked as a Salesian religious.

The solemn Mass was celebrated in the presence of his relics for the first time in the Salesian house, the Clarisseum, 10 years after his beatification and exactly 70 years after his execution.

The Mass was celebrated by Father János Andrásfalvy, Provincial. Present at the celebration were also several Salesian brothers, the present-day descendants of Our Blessed Brother. The small church was filled to capacity, and those gathered for the commemoration were greeted by Salesian Father Zoltán Márkus SDB, parish priest of the Clarisseum, who, together with the local faithful, had been preparing for this celebration for a long time.

In his sermon, the Provincial, Father János Andrásfalvy, emphasized the special spirit of the place since the memory of Blessed Stephen Sándor now openly permeates this place and his example is known throughout the world, although for a long time it was not even dared to be mentioned openly.

He drew a parallel between the message of the Gospel and the life of our Blessed Brother, saying that if the grain of wheat does not die, it does not bear fruit, but if it dies, it bears much fruit, so that since the life of Blessed Stephen Sándor on earth ended in martyrdom, he has now borne much fruit. He pointed out that among the fruits of the Spirit, it is the adherence to the good, joy, and patience that are particularly to be found in Stephen’s life, because he was attached to his vocation, to God, and to Don Bosco. He served the Lord joyfully around the altar and brought joy with his jokes, his heart-warming words, and his angelic patience in prison, which gave hope to his cellmates who were in despair. Finally, he suggested that everyone should take part in the mission of Blessed Stephen Sándor, to continue his spirit of love, goodness, beauty, God and divine values, and humanity in its Christian sense.

After the Holy Mass, the members of the parish briefly commemorated the main moments of Stephen Sándor's life, read excerpts from his letters, and then, with candles in hand, the procession set off for the nearby Stephen Sándor Park. Arriving at the park named after our martyr, they prayed and sang together, then placed their candles in front of the memorial stone as a sign of respect and remembrance.

Returning to the church at 9.10 pm, at the time of the execution, everyone fell silent. Then, led by Father Zoltán Márkus SDB, they prayed the Litany of Stephen Sándor and finally paid their respects to the relic.

It was a very beautiful celebration, a worthy commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the martyrdom of Blessed Brother Stephen Sándor!

Commemoration in the hometown of Blessed Stephen Sándor in Szolnok

In Szolnok, the 70th anniversary of the death of Blessed Salesian Brother Stephen Sándor, martyr, was commemorated in the town church of the Holy Trinity where he was baptized. The commemorators were greeted by Andrea Kovács, head of the Association of Christian Intellectuals, followed by a Holy Mass during which they prayed for the canonization of the martyr, who was senselessly murdered.

After the mass, they marched to the square in front of the church, where, after lighting candles, they laid flowers of remembrance at the statue of the martyred Salesian religious.

They also celebrated at the school named after Blessed Stephen Sándor

In Mezőnyárád, the Catholic Middle School of Blessed Stephen Sándor also commemorated its namesake. The school, which took on the name of Blessed  StephenSándor in 2016, is located in the building where the Salesiannovitiate was established in 1934. It was also the place where Blessed Stephen Sándor SDB prepared for his Salesian religious life between 1937 and 1940.

The day began in the church, where some of the graduating students read out reflections on Blessed Brother  Stephen Sándor SDB, and then the day was consecrated with a Holy Mass. The life of the innocently executed Salesian religious is an eternal example of fidelity to the faith, perseverance, and commitment to young people. The patron saint of the school strengthens many Catholic educators in their vocation. He can be presented to youth as a testimony of perseverance, diligence, and love of God.

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