St Stephen of Hungary
Today we will learn about a saint who’s feast day just recently past. St. Stephen of Hungary had started his life off as a pagan, he was baptized when he was around the age of 10, together with his father, who was the chief of the Magyars, a group who had migrated to the Danube area during the ninth century. When St. Stephen was around the age of 20, he had married Gisela, who was the sister to the future emperor, Saint Henry. When he had succeeded his father, St. Stephen had adopted a policy of Christianization of the country for both political and religious reasons. St. Stephen had decided to suppress a series of revolts by pagan nobles and he had also welded the Magyars into a strong national group. St. Stephen had also asked the pope to provide for the Church’s organization in Hungary and he had also requested that the pope confer the title of king upon him. St. Stephen was actually crowned on Christmas Day during the year 1001.
St. Stephen had also established a system of tithes that had supported churches and pastors and to relieve the poor. Out of every 10 towns one had to build a church and the town also had to support a priest. St. Stephen had also abolished pagan customs, and he had also commanded all to marry, except for the clergy and religious. He was easily accessible to all, especially the poor.
During the year 1031, St. Stephen’s son Emeric had died, and the rest of St. Stephen’s days had been embittered by controversy over his successor. St. Stephen’s nephews had also attempted to kill him. St. Stephen had died during the year 1038 and he was canonized, along with his son, during the year 1083.
St. Stephen is the patron saint of Hungary and bricklayers.
Prayer to St. Stephen:
St. Stephen intercede that we may be able to guide more people to Christ so that we may be able to all be united in Heaven after we die.
Amen
St. Stephen pray for us
St. Joseph pray for us
May we continue to strengthen our journey to sainthood and keep others in our prayers.
Works cited
Information (read from, not taken):
Franciscan media. “Saint Stephen of Hungary. ”Saint Stephen of Hungary | Franciscan Media. Accessed September 2, 2021.
Images:
Saint Stephen of Hungary. September 2, 2021. Saint Stephen of Hungary - Google Search.