A Mass was held in honor of Saint Elizabeth of the Árpád dynasty at St. Martin’s Cathedral on November 19. The Mass was celebrated by parish priest Father István Pogány and concelebrated by Father Arnold Hortobágyi OSB.

The community that filled the cathedral gathered to remember the great saint of love and mercy, who dedicated her life entirely to God and to serving those in need. Saint Elizabeth is not only a symbol of charity but also a testament to how the love of Christ can be passed on through quiet, humble service in everyday life.

The staff of the Saint Elizabeth Caritas in Mukachevo also participated in the Mass to commemorate their namesake. In their prayers they jointly asked for Saint Elizabeth’s intercession, that they might become authentic instruments of God’s love in every area of their lives — in their families, at work, and among those in need.

In his sermon, Father Arnold Hortobágyi reflected on where the feast of Saint Elizabeth finds us today. The answer, he said, is simple: right where we are, in Ukraine, in the shadow of war. All of this fundamentally determines the life situation, circumstances and state of people’s communities. In this reality, it is especially comforting to realize that Saint Elizabeth is present in our hopes and fears, in the concern we feel for each other and in the desire for peace deep in our hearts. She enters the homes and churches of Transcarpathia as the quiet consolation of God, saying: “Do not be afraid, love is still enough.”

The father also pointed out that Saint Elizabeth speaks to the doubters, the angry, the disheartened, the hopeless and the sad alike. Let us find strength in love – this is what she suggests to us.

But, the father added, she is not only addressing those who are suffering, but also those who are still committed to the war. Saint Elizabeth would ask them: “Do you see the wounded? Do you see the fear? Do you see the children, the widows? Do you see the face of the other person?”

The father pointed out that these questions all point in the same direction: we must recognize that love is not an achievement or a mere task, but a silent source deep in our hearts. God's love lives within us, carries us, purifies us, and slowly permeates our thoughts and feelings. When a person immerses themselvesin this source of love, he rediscovers that inner space where trust, not a fear, reigns. He emphasized that the workers of the Caritas are true masters of how to find strength in love. They are the ones who are able to rekindle the dormant love in their hearts. The power of love helps us to preserve humanity, gentleness, and attentiveness.

Living in love also means being able to trust even when circumstances are frightening. Love allows us to recognize that God is with us and that the future is not filled with fear, but with hope.

The community prayed together that the spirit of Saint Elizabeth – selfless love, simplicity and mercy – would continue to strengthen the communities of our diocese and inspire a spirit of service in all people. They prayed for the staff, volunteers and donors of the Saint Elizabeth Caritas of Mukachevo.

At the end of the Mass - following the old tradition - the Saint Elizabeth Breads were blessed and then distributed to the faithful.

The celebration continued with a short litany held in the courtyard of the charity kitchen, at the statue of Saint Elizabeth, and then ended with a festive agape organized by Saint Elizabeth Caritas, to which the staff, volunteers and guests present were invited.

based on news from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Mukachevo