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Saint Stephen's Day Mass in Vienna
Hungarians from Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Transylvania and Serbia packed the Stephansdom on August 31, in a show of national unity.
The solemn Holy Mass was celebrated by Mons. Cirill Hortobágyi, Abbot of Pannonhalma. Following the entrance procession, members of the Order of Malta from Hungary, Austria and Southern Slovakia took their places in the choir, while the relic of Saint Stephen was placed next to the altar, and the new bread, grapes and wine were laid out in front of the altar, ready for the rite of blessing.
In his homily, the Abbot emphasised that the example set by Saint Stephen is important for us today, just as the King treasured the teaching of Christ, with whose help he was able to united warring nations and tribes under the One Faith. Saint Stephen saw his office as a vocation, a task given him by God, and he fulfilled it with humility and sense of responsibillity. And when we look at the future of Europe and of Hungarians, we too must understand the teaching of Christ as Saint Stephen did. We must act as true disciples for the common good. We must not pursue individual interests: we must exercise responsibility, altruism, solidarity, in the sign of truth-seeking and justice.
At the end of Mass, the Ambassador of Hungary to Austria spoke briefly to the congregation.
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