Magyar News, 1990. november-1991. augusztus (1. évfolyam, 1-10. szám)
1991-06-01 / 8. szám
m m Volume I, Issue 8 ■ kWM Bridgeport, June 1991 Magyar News Monthly Publication in Cooperation of the local Hungarian Churches & Organization Fairfield pastor tells about his historical visit to Transylvania By REV. ROBERT NEMETH, OFM In the Town of Fairfield, there are two Hungarian churches, Calvin United and St. Emery. Though one is Protestant and the other Catholic, they have a commonality that binds them as good neighbors and friends. Both their ministers and Franciscan friars trace their origins to a distant part of the world that most Americans think of as a place of fiction and vampires. The place is Transylvania, located in the western part of Romania; but before 1917, it was a part of the Kingdom of Hungary for more than 1,000 years. You may wonder why anyone would want to go to Transylvania. What can be the attraction? In this Pennsylvania-like terrain lives a group of Franciscans belonging to the St. Stephen-King Province, whose friars were disbanded by the Communist government for over.47 years. The Iron Curtain descended, and the free flow of communication was silenced. Only an occasional rumor surfaced about the people and the friars. One of these rumors was that Franciscans lived in a covert manner, but where they were, and how many, was not factually known. For many years, when Rome published the statistics concerning the Order around the world, Transylvania was not mentioned. The slots for information were blank. On March 3rd, I was invited to accompany six of my brother friars to visit Transylvania. One of the friars was the Rev. John Vaughn, OFM, minister general of the Order, the successor of St. Francis of Assisi. Our international group included friars from England, Italy, Hungary, Yugoslavia, and the United States. We arrived in Szeged, Hungary, a city near the Yugoslav and Romanian borders on a Sunday evening. The friary in Hungary had recently been returned to the Order from the government. It is an edifice that traces portions of its structure to the time of St. Francis, and it will require an enormous job of rebuilding after years of neglect, but work has begun. In the finished portion of the building we were welcomed by the staff of friars and a special guest, Bishop Endre Gyuilai, the ordinary of Szeged. The bishop had visited St. Emery’s Parish in Fairfield in November of 1990, and it was a joy to sec him again. Before leaving, he gave us his blessing as we made our way to the land of hills and rivers - Transylvania. Since the repaired portion of the friary could not house us overnight, we lodged in a private home of a benefactor. I was the only one who had a travel clock. That gave me the responsibility of 4:30 a.m. reveille. But with the excitement of our venture, the clock was not necessary. We were up early. The moon glittered on the surrounding homes with a "Night Before Christmas” glow, and it blanketed the majestic cathedral with an awesome effect Eventually the sun brightened the sky as we approached the border check-point. After the usual passport and luggage search, we were on a pot-hole marked road leading us into the ancient cities of Arad, the Marian Shrine of Maria Radna, Déva, Hyunad-vár, Csiksomyló, and Déj. The sons of St. Francis, clad in the brownhooded robes of the Poverello, greeted us with a fraternal embrace of brotherly affection. The years of torture and hardship seemed to vanish with their laughter and gracious hospitality. The friary kitchens produced an abundance of pastries and cookies that only heightened the happy feeling of being together. This was the first time since 1938 that a minister general of the Order had been permitted to visit the friars. It was history in the making, and my camera clicked often enough to bring a blush to some of the friars. Maybe I overdid it, but I felt very proud to be a part of this moment. Many of the historic friaries are gradually being returned to their original purpose. Young men have joined the Province as priests or brothers. The bishops of the Diocese of Alba Julia have been helping with the formation of men to replenish the friars. Today, 14 men are in formation in the novitiate in Esztergom, Hungary, and in September a new group of 15 will follow. In the City of Csiksomyló, the friars are building a new printing house. The celebration of the liturgy during our visit was very special. Residents of the town and cities responded to the call of the ancient bells to worship, and the House of God was full. People of all ages came, some walking great distances in the cold. Children sat on the steps of the various altars, giving their pew to the elders. The voices of the faithful almost deafened the magnificent sound of the organ. There was a potpourri of emotions - joy, pride, love, hurt. As the procession entered, moistened eyes glowed like strands of tinsel. We had come to celebrate what most of us in the United States lake for granted. These tom people are still able to recognize the wonder and awe in the “Breaking of the Bread.” It is their hope of a new tomorrow. Some say that holidays are for children. It was the genuine respect of the children that many times “made my day.” Though not shy about having their pictures taken, they would first tip their caps or use the expression, “Praised Be Jesus Christ,” and I would repeat, “Now and Forever.” Before I traveled to Transylvania, a German friar said to me, “When you leave Transylvania, you will never be the same. Something will change within you.” His words are so true! Is it the stories of hardship and tom lives? Is it the struggle to see people search for their daily bread? Is it the joy of the humble friars, or could it be the generous affection of the people and the children? I believe it was witnessing Christ in a crushed people and being able to “touch” as the Apostle Thomas said, “My Lord and My God.” Z. TOTH ELECTRIC, INC. GENERAL CONTRACTOR Custom Homes • Additions • Remodeling All Phases of Electric • Licensed and Insured • Free Estimates Tel: (203) 255-3884 EUROPEAN NAIL SALON Judith Racz Anikó Kiss 16 Fiske St. Fairfield, CT 06430 Tel: 333-1468
