Magyar News, 1990. november-1991. augusztus (1. évfolyam, 1-10. szám)
1990-12-01 / 2. szám
Magyar News Monthly Publication in Cooperation of the local Hungarian Churches & Organization Fr. Robert Nemeth, OFM Pastor of St. Emery Church THOUGHTS TO ADORN THE CHRISTMAS TREE October, 1989 - I had been invited by the Provincial of the Hungarian Franciscans to come to Budapest for a meeting in Pasarét. The conference consisted of the Provincials from West and East Germany, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia and Transylvania and the United States. All this was happening just about a week before Hungary would declare itself a democracy. I would like to share a few of the events I had witnessed. As some of you may have known, I have been sponsoring tours to Europe for the last 4 years. Hungary had always been a part of the tour. Through a vacationer’s eye, I had seen changes taking place - some subtle, others more dramatic, as the red-stars being removed from public buildings, church processions visible in the streets, priests donned with religious garb walking the streets, open and free critical talk of political situations, fear being dissipated. All this affecting the Franciscan way of life, and it is this specialty as a Franciscan I now share with you. In my visits to the newly invigorated Franciscan centers as the main friary on Mártírok Útja, or the school at Pasarét, and the novitiate at Esztergom - one could not help but be impressed with the caliber of young men wishing to enter the Franciscan Order. Their accomplished gift in knowledge of other languages, music, speaking ability - for being so young; but even more impressive is their willingness to give their lives through the Church to help renew the spiritual life and growth of Hungary. If these young men persevere, what a God-given gift to the Church and Hungary. These young candidates in the Order already are manifesting their ability not only to draw the youth of the area to Sabboth Mass - but even to have them share evening weekday prayer together. I was fortunate to witness the ordination of 2 young priests and 3 men for the deaconate, at St. Anthony Church in Pasarét. The large church filled beyond capacity to witness and be part of this beautiful event; and it was easy to figure out that the average age of the congregation was about 27 years old. Their presence was a wonderful manifestation of physical and spiritual support for the young friars - and to me. Before we entered the Church for the ancient rite of ordination that traces its lines to apostolic times, there was the enthusiastic rushing about of last minute preparations; clerics greeting each other, others talking in clustered friendship, friars rehearsing their ancient chants - finally the authoritative clapping of the master of ceremonies - all was ready. With only the shuffle of feet in the monastery hallways, with pride, joy and fraternal love, we slowly moved in the dimly lighted walk-ways to the doors of the church. As the cross-bearer approached the church, the crowd outside pushed aside as if Moses himself had given the order. The chill of the October night, adorned with the light of a full moon - brought the words of Genesis to mind “God looked upon it and found it to be very good.” As the procession made its move down the main aisle of the church, the thunderous cords of the pipe organ, the whole Hungarian congregation matching the quality of the organ’s notes, the smell of incense touched everyone in unison as moistened eyes glanced at each other with embracive affection - it was contagious - what a blessing to be here I thought. Early the next morning, newly ordained Fr. Balint celebrated his first Mass. After the last blessing, we all formed a line to receive his personal blessing and fraternal embrace. He embraced me and whispered in my ear, with that beautiful Zsa-Zsa Gábor accent “I’m happy you are here.” During that special week in Budapest, I was on the streets entering any church door I saw open. This was like a personal búcsú, (farewell) One stop on my pilgrimed way was the Reformed Church facing the Danube. The Service ended with the singing of the Magyar Hymnusz and the baptising of a child. With renewed vigor, I made my way across the Chain Bridge to the grandeur of St. Stephen’s Basilica. I witnessed the baptism of 2 babies, and prayed before the Relic-hand of St. Stephen. On my departure from Budapest, as the plane lifted off the Hungarian soil - my eyes glazed over the countryside and everything that happened that week flashed like sparks in the fire to ignite in me a feeling of home away from home. ★ ★★★★★ Now, here in Connecticut, the world approaches the annual feast of Jesus’ birth with last minute swirls of red and green, Carols to guide us through the aisles of supermarkets. The Church dons itself with liturgical purple, floral decorations forbidden to crown the altars, and the somber tones of “O Come, O Come Emannuel” fills the House of God, with the mood of awaiting the Second Coming of the Savior. The Church sanctuary will be highlighted with the Advent Wreath, the 4 candle “time watch” to remind us weekly of Christmas’ rapid approach. During this 4 weeks of “sweeping clean” the interior of the heart, the Christmas Wafer (Karácsonyi Ostya) will be blessed and offered to the worshippers. They in turn gather with family and friends in toasty-trimmed homes, will break the wafer and offer it to each other, while dipping the morsel into honey, to remind them of the sweet love God has manifested to give us His only Son; then with hugs and kisses, we greet the solemnity of Christmas - for as the saying says so rhythmically well, “Jesus is the reason for the Season!” In St. Emery Parish, the Eve of Christmas, worshippers will gather, many children will process before the Jászoly (crech); and young men in vested white hooded robes and Hungarian embroidered jackets, with hats adorned, bear the precious gift of the jaszoly. This is our tradition. Hungarian villagers will carry the jaszoly from door to door singing “Mennyből Az Angyal” and “Csendes Éj”. It is a living tradition, and we never forget the mystery of God’s love for us. When the jászoly enters the Church on the Eve of Christmas, let our hearts prayerfully remember the little Magyar nation that played a dramatic role in freeing the East Germans, which has lead to the unity of the German nation; and how the plea from Poland was heard to bring relief to the cries of hunger; and how every vehicle able to move, was filled with food and clothing to Transylvania, where brother and sister Magyars had been stripped of basic human rights with the destruction of their churches, schools and homes. Yes, in this season of wonder and awe - as the Ostya is broken, dipped and shared; the jaszoly makes its majesty felt; as the strains of “Mennyből Az Angyal” are sung, you can be sure that this tradition would not be filled, if we did not spiritually embrace our brothers and sisters of Holy Trinity Byzantine, First United, Calvin United, North Avenue United and prayerfully whisper “Merry Christmas.”
