(ANS - Rome) - Exactly one month after the beatification of the Hungarian Salesian Brother Stephen Sándor, the Hungarian Embassy to the Holy See, in conjunction with the Salesian Congregation, held an evening in honour of the new Blessed at the Hungarian Academy in Rome.

After the opening words of the Ambassador, His Excellency Mr. Gábor Györiványi, the Rector Major, Fr Pascual Chávez, spoke. He emphasized the relevance of the witness of Stephen Sándor in the defence and promotion of the faith and in protection of the family against ideologies that distort the nature and mission of education, especially at the present time when education is undergoing something of an emergency.

Fr Pierluigi Cameroni, Postulator General, then gave a biographical and spiritual history of the new Blessed, proposing Sándor as a model of radical Gospel living, exemplary religious life and singular commitment to the world of work.

Mr György Hölvényi, Hungarian Secretary of State responsible for church relations and minorities, praised the work of the Salesians in Hungary, now resumed after the hard experience of communism. He referred to the collaboration that now exists between Church and state in the field of education.

A film entitled "Stephen Sándor, Servant of God" was then shown. The Director of the film, András Der from Hungary, was present for the showing. The film is greatly appreciated for its technical quality, and for its message and encouraging reflections. It portrays very clearly the historical context of the story of Stephen Sándor, the seizure of power by the Communist regime in Hungary in the '50s and the increasing level of persecution suffered by the Church, especially in the area of education. Stephen Sándor endured this hour of trial and martyrdom with a spirit of fortitude and apostolic zeal, inspired by the Gospel.  For the young people of yesterday and today, Stephen is a credible and inspiring model.

The evening ended with a message from Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, who recalled how, in the persecution of the Catholic Church, totalitarian regimes have always directed particular violence against its educational institutions. Only through genuine and constructive collaboration between Church and State is it possible to achieve the true good of the people and nations, especially in promoting the spiritual, moral and cultural development of new generations.

Published 20/11/2013