May 23: Feastday of Blessed Vilmos Apor, Bishop of Győr and Martyr

On Good Friday 1945, he sacrificed his life for his faithful while defending the women hidden in the cellar of the episcopal palace against violent Soviet soldiers: the bullets penetrated his body forming the shape of a cross.

His spirituality is well reflected in his notes taken during a retreat in 1914: "I think that the last beatitude is meant for the apostles, pastors of souls: Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake. This is what makes a priest happy: self-sacrifice, the sacrifice of one's life and martyrdom."

 

Brother Barry in front of the statue of Blessed Vilmos Apor

 

 Brother Barry in front of the tomb of 
Vilmos Apor in Győr Cathedral, Hungary