(ANS - Rome ) - "A gift of holiness for the Hungarian Church and the universal Church, and for all of us, and for our young people a model to look up to in prayer." So Mother Yvonne Reungoat, Superior General of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, describes Stephen Sándor, soon to be beatified, in a letter sent yesterday to the Rector Major. "There is no doubt that his beatification is a gift from God to our family," replied Fr Pascual Chávez.

It was an affectionate and informal exchange of letters that took place in the past few hours between the Mother General of the Salesian Sisters and the Rector Major of the Salesians. It shows that the Salesian Brother Stephen Sándor is an example of holiness that brings honour to the whole family born of the charism of Don Bosco.

Mother Reungoat began by saying, "I want to share your joy and that of the whole Salesian Family on the occasion of the beatification of the Hungarian Salesian Brother, Stephen Sándor. The family entrusted to you, dear Fr Pascual, is becomes increasingly enriched by the presence of the Lord through wonderful and courageous figures like Stephen. I think you are a lucky Father to have children of this stature, who were able to fly high with the simplicity and the determination of the little ones of the Gospel.

I hope that the beatification on 19 October 2013 in Budapest touches the lives of many young Hungarians with the beauty of the Gospel and the joy of being faithful to Jesus even unto martyrdom. Perhaps their country is still suffering in a way from the consequences of communism. I believe this will be for the Hungarian Church a source of great hope and will see many new and generous vocations emerge. I pray so with all my heart!" concluded the Mother General.

The Rector Major replied: "I thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for the beautiful message you sent me. (...) This beatification clearly must be an event of grace and a strong message both for the young people of Hungary, for whom the newly beatified generously offered his life, and for all our young people and the whole Salesian Youth Movement."

Fr Chávez described the essential features of Stephen’s life, from a happy childhood in his family, to the challenge of military service, his professionalism as a typesetter, his dedication to young people, his devotion to Mary and finally his martyrdom. He went on to say: "After last year’s beatification of Sr. Maria Troncatti, FMA, in Macas, Ecuador, our Salesian Family has the gift of another beatification in this Year of Faith, another confirmation of the fecundity of the charism born from the apostolic heart of Don Bosco. It highlights the missionary and martyr dimensions, which must characterize our educational and pastoral mission in spirit and in action."

Published 09/10/2013