“It strengthens us in our mission to transmit our centuries-old faith tradition,” Osztie said. “It’s fascinating to imagine the amount of fervent prayers that have gone on within these walls over the centuries; it makes us aware that we are small links in this chain that we must pass on to future generations.”
His words echoed those of Hungarian Cardinal József Mindszenty, who in a speech given in 1948, just 75 years ago for the ninth centenary of the church’s founding, praised the perseverance of this community despite the multiple storms and tragedies that have marked the history of the country. “This church tells stories, teaches, and ultimately guides you towards eternal life,” stated the hero of the anti-communist resistance.
This religious monument, also known as Our Lady of the Assumption Church, is indeed symbolic in more ways than one for the Hungarians. Located next to the ruins of the Contra-Aquincum Roman Fort and the Elisabeth Bridge, which connects the foot of Gellért Hill to the city center of Pest, the parish church was founded in 1048, two years after the martyr St. Gerard of Csanád was thrown from the top of the hill across the Danube.
According to some historical accounts, the Hungarian saint was originally buried in this church before being transferred to Italy. The church still houses one of his relics, as well as those of St. Ladislaus and St. Elizabeth of Hungary.
As Mihály Aranyossy, the person in charge of the church’s tours, pointed out in an interview with CNA that the history of the site goes back 2,000 years. Indeed, the foundations of the church rest partly on the remains of a Roman military fortification. What was once the commander’s room lies beneath the ground floor and can be seen from inside the building through a large glass window.
Only a part of the church dating to the Gothic period remained after its transformation into a mosque for several decades after the Turkish invasion in the 16th century. It was renovated in the Baroque style in the 18th century thanks to the donations of the faithful.
The church is also closely associated with the famous composer Franz Liszt, who stayed there for several years and often performed within its walls. Two of his works, Missa Choralis (1872) and Via Crucis (1929) premiered there.
The celebrations in honor of the pope in the parish church marked an important step in the long series of commemorative events that will mark the year 2023 and that will culminate in August around the feast of the Assumption, whose name the church bears.
Solène Tadié is the Europe Correspondent for the National Catholic Register. She is French-Swiss and grew up in Paris. After graduating from Roma III University with a degree in journalism, she began reporting on Rome and the Vatican for Aleteia. She joined L’Osservatore Romano in 2015, where she successively worked for the French section and the Cultural pages of the Italian daily newspaper. She has also collaborated with several French-speaking Catholic media organizations. Solène has a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas.
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