Blessed Stephen Sándor
Beatification
SDB
“The beatification today of István Sándor, Salesian religious (whose name recalls the first Christian martyr), is a gift to the Triune God, to the Hungarian nation, to the Salesian Society, and to the entire Church.”
— Cardinal Angelo Amato SDB, at the beatification ceremony
Cardinal Péter Erdő, Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, was the principal celebrant of the Holy Mass. On behalf of the Holy Father, Cardinal Angelo Amato, then Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, formally proclaimed the decree of beatification during the solemn celebration. The ceremony was also attended by Don Pascual Chávez, then Rector Major of the Salesians.
The beatification of István Sándor was a great celebration for the Salesian Family and the entire Hungarian Church. Numerous ecclesiastical and civil dignitaries, religious, and pilgrims were present, with representatives from every country in Europe, including an international group of Salesian coadjutor brothers.
Szentbeszédében Erdő Péter bíboros, az evangélium magvető példázatához kapcsolódva, arról beszélt: „Sándor Istvánban azt az embert kell meglátnunk, aki élete gabonáját bizalommal vetette el. Ünnepeljük benne a hőst, aki szerzetesi hivatásához élete árán is hű maradt” – fogalmazta meg Erdő Péter. Tiszteljük benne azt a kiváló munkást, aki a munka szeretetére tudott tanítani. Gépies és elidegenedett világunkban különösen aktuális Sándor István életének az az üzenete, hogy egyéni és közösségi boldogulásunk útja a jól végzett munka – hangsúlyozta a bíboros. Megrendülten állunk a koncepciós per áldozata előtt, akit hamis vádak alapján megkínoztak, halálra ítéltek és kivégeztek. Sándor István vértanúságának példája felidézi a koncepciós perek egész szomorú korszakát – fogalmazott Erdő Péter, majd hozzáfűzte: ebben a visszaemlékezésben őszintén és tisztelettel tekintünk a múltba, ez a keresztény számára a megbocsátás, kiengesztelődés, lelki megújulás alkalma.
At the conclusion of the Mass, Cardinal Angelo Amato, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, spoke about how religious persecution creates deep divisions between people—while the martyrs, through their sacrifice, fraternity, forgiveness, and acceptance, build bridges. He posed the question: what is Blessed István Sándor’s message for people today? He emphasized that István Sándor, who lived with and for young people, was a shining example of fidelity to consecrated life both in his work and within the community. He highlighted the martyr’s deep desire to educate, which always recognized the spiritual needs of the young workers entrusted to him. Cardinal Amato concluded by affirming that consecrated life is a true martyrdom without blood, fulfilled in fidelity to the Gospel and to the Salesian charism.
Fr. József Havasi, a fellow Salesian and contemporary of Blessed István Sándor, offered thanks on behalf of the Hungarian Salesian Province, which was celebrating the centenary of its establishment in 2013. He reminded the faithful that Blessed István Sándor is not only to be honored, but also imitated—by bearing witness to Christ and proclaiming His Gospel, in season and out of season.
In his message of gratitude, Don Pascual Chávez, then Rector Major of the Salesians, celebrated the beatification as a shared joy for the Church, the Hungarian nation, and the Salesian Society. On that same day, October 19, following the beatification, the Youth Festival began at 1:30 p.m. in the Körcsarnok Arena, where young people gathered to give thanks for the newly beatified. Don Pascual Chávez also participated in this joyful celebration.
📄 The Rector Major’s Letter to the Salesians
