Official statement

The Relics of Blessed Stephen Sándor Have Been Found and Identified

The Hungarian Province of the Salesians of Don Bosco, named in honor of Saint Stephen, joyfully announces that, following lengthy preparations and research, the relics of Blessed Stephen Sándor (1914–1953), Salesian brother and martyr, have been successfully exhumed and identified.

In 1953, under a show trial by the communist dictatorship, Brother Stephen Sándor was sentenced to death and buried in an unmarked grave after his execution. The Salesian Society had already hoped to locate his earthly remains before his beatification in 2013. As part of this effort, historian Judit B. Varga conducted extensive archival research, which greatly contributed to the success of the current discovery.

The practical preparation began over a year ago under the leadership and professional oversight of forensic advisor Dr. Éva Susa. Based on period documents, expert analysis, and logical deduction, there was strong suspicion and solid hope that the Martyr’s remains, along with those of others executed, could be found in Grave 37 of Row 2, Parcel 301 of the Rákoskeresztúr New Public Cemetery in Budapest.

On November 12, 2018, in the presence of invited experts, the grave was opened. As anticipated, nearly complete skeletal remains of six individuals were recovered.

The anthropological examination of the bones was carried out in the anthropology lab of the Department of Reference Sample Testing, under the Institute of Genetics of the National Institute of Forensic Experts and Researchers. Forensic anthropologist Eszter Dudás conducted the analysis. DNA reference samples were provided from envelopes sealed in the past by the Martyr and his biological brother, with the stamps preserved on the envelopes used for successful DNA identification.

Following these thoroughly professional forensic and criminal investigations, we are pleased to announce—of both legal and scientific significance—that Blessed Stephen Sándor, Salesian brother and martyr, has been positively identified among the six individuals exhumed.

The Salesian Family expresses heartfelt thanks to all who participated in the preparation and identification process. Special recognition is given to the Committee of National Remembrance, the Institute of National Heritage, and the National Institute of Forensic Experts and Researchers for their partnership and for the generous and professional cooperation of their leaders, without whom this work would not have been possible.

Further information regarding the relics of the Blessed and their placement for veneration will be shared in due course, following the guidelines of the Apostolic See. Since the 2013 beatification ceremony in Budapest, Salesians from across the 136 countries where the Society is active have expressed their desire to receive relics of the new Blessed as a sign of devotion, in accordance with Church tradition. Until now, we have been unable to fulfill these requests. We now trust this can soon be remedied.

Budapest, March 25, 2019

Fr. Béla Ábrahám SDB
Provincial Superior