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Cardinal Mindszenty
Biography |
Text and picture courtesy of "The Cardinal Mindszenty
Foundation". See our links page to get to their website!
Joseph Mindszenty was born in Hungary on March 29, 1892. He was
ordained to the priesthood on the Feast of the Sacred heart of Jesus on June 12,
1915, and was consecrated Bishop of Veszprem on March 25, 1944. From November 27, 1944 to April 20, 1945, he
was imprisoned by the Nazis. Pope Pius
XII appointed him Archbishop of Esztergom and Primate of Hungary on October 2, 1945. Just a few months
later, on February 18, 1946, the Holy Father raised him to the Cardinalate. As
Pope Pius XII placed the Cardinal's hat on his head, the Pope said: "Among the
thirty-two, you will be the first to suffer the martyrdom whose symbol this red
color is."
When the Communists arrested Cardinal Mindszenty in Budapest on December 26, 1948, his twenty-three long years of
persecution, suffering and enforced isolation began. Throughout his ordeals,
he was unwavering in his faith, hope and love of God.
Upon the request of Pope Paul VI, Cardinal Mindszenty departed from his country of Hungary, still occupied by the
Communists, on September 29, 1971, and settled in Vienna, Austria. He died
there at the age of 83 on May 6, 1975.
Today, Cardinal Mindszenty is buried in the Church of the Assumption, the Baselica of Esztergom, Hungary, where
pilgrims visit daily and pray for his intercession in their needs. |
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Joseph Cardinal Mindszenty
1892 - 1975 |
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