Magyar News, 2000. szeptember-2001. augusztus (11. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2000-10-01 / 2. szám
A Day to" Remember ^ By Antonio Procaccini ^ The year 2000 marks the 1000-year anniversary of the crowning of Saint Stephen of Hungary by Pope Sylvester II. To celebrate the millennium event, Saint Stephen of Hungary Parish in Manhattan organized a 2:00 P.M. mass on Sunday, August 20 in Saint Patrick's Cathedral on Fifth Avenue. According to the church's pastor, Reverend Neil O'Connell, O.F.M., "We booked the cathedral more than a year Flag bearers in advance in order to guarantee having this mass there". The pastor's intention was to use the greater capacity of the Cathedral and to take advantage of its stature as the principal church of the Archdiocese for such an important occasion. The choice of the famous cathedral was perfect. Great weather and an outstanding turnout transformed the event into a unique experience. Stephen was the son of Prince Géza and a direct descendant of Árpád, the Magyar leader who founded the Hungarian nation-state in the late 9th century. The coronation took place on Christmas Day in the year 1000, beginning Hungary's alliance to Christianity and the Western world. The 1999 admittance of Hungary into NATO followed this trend. Reverend Dominic Csorba, O.F.M., Hungarian-born Parochial Vicar of Saint Stephen's, reflected on the importance of the event: "All over the world Hungarians wanted to give special honor to Saint Stephen on the 1000-year anniversary of his coronation. His place in history as the Father Neil, Father Csorba, and Rev. Brucato first Christian king of Hungary is very important to us." Saint Stephen also showed great wisdom in his choice of administrators for the many large counties he governed, an area larger than those ruled by today's leaders of similar stature. The coincidence of his death with a major Catholic feast day may have prompted one of his most important acts. "Before Stephen died on the Feast of Our Lady of the Assumption (August 15), he offered the crown and the country to the Blessed Virgin and this devotion carries to this day", said Csorba. People anxiously gathered inside and outside the cathedral well before the scheduled starting time of the mass. The usual array of tourists intermingled with those attending the special mass, as participants streamed by in native Hungarian costumes and clothing. After organ and choral preludes the celebration's opening procession began. The choir alternated verses of the opening hymn with grandiose music from the organ while the celebrants started along the south aisle. The procession then continued in the main aisle. Children and adults carrying symbolic items preceded the celebrants. The items included gifts for offering, the relic shrine of Saint Stephen's Parish, replicas of the holy crown, scepter and orb and the flags and banners of Hungary, the USA and participating parishes. The Most Reverend Richard A. Brucato, Co-Vicar General of the Archdiocese of New York, was the celebrant for this mass and he was assisted by O'Connell, Csorba and a host of other priests from Catholic churches from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Readings were done in English and Hungarian. Diplomats included the Honorable István Posta, Consul to the United Nations and the Honorable Gábor Földvári, Consul to New York City. They addressed the large congregation on the importance and meaning of the occasion. Földvári read a letter from the President of the Republic of Hungary that expressed appreciation for those who were celebrating this particular mass. The President wrote of Stephen's prowess as a leader and mentioned that for the first time the Eastern Church is accepting the Catholic Saint Stephen in a ceremony taking place in Budapest at virtually the same time. Gwendolyn Toth, acclaimed music director of Saint Francis of Assisi Church in Manhattan, conducted a superb 8-member choir accompanied by organ and trumpet. She was assisted by soprano Kathleen Kilbane who served as leader of song from the altar area. During a period of silent meditation soprano Eleanor Hessler-Kelly sang a moving solo version of Schubert's Ave Maria from the choir loft accompanied only by organist Lorenz Maycher. Antonio Procaccini, principal organist of Saint Stephen's, served as assistant organist, playing three Hungarian hymns during the service, including the Himnusz, Hungary's national anthem. Choral music included Zoltán Kodály's majestic Hymn to Saint Stephen and Franz Liszt's Hymn to the Virgin Mary and Ave Verum Corpus in addition to hymns in both Hungarian and English. The congregation added its voices with great fervor throughout the ceremony. Hungarians, Hungarian-Americans and many others came from neighboring states to participate in this special mass. For example, Saint Emery's Church in Fairfield, Connecticut sponsored two packed buses that stopped in Norwalk to pick up friends and fellow worshippers at Saint Ladislaus Church. By the reactions and comments made to the author it was apparent the event had a great influence on those who attended and will remain for them an indelible memory. Let's hope we don't have to wait another 1,000 years for another celebration of this magnitude. Procession of offerings. (Photos by Robert Essenyi) Page 3
