The Hungarian Pauline Order has done a lot and prayed a lot for the preservation of Hungarian identity, Hungarian Christianity, and the Hungarian state, and continues to do so today, emphasized Lőrinc Nacsa, State Secretary for National Policy on Tuesday in Balatonszemes (located on the southern shore of Lake Balaton), where Pauline-themed pilgrimage routes were handed over.
On the anniversary of the birth of Blessed Özséb, founder of the Pauline Order, at a ceremony held at the Parish Church of St. Anthony of Padua, Lőrinc Nacsa said that the Balatonszemes route is another important Pauline pilgrimage route to be completed.
“There is still work to be done, as the Paulines once had seventy monasteries in Hungary at the height of their power. The next pilgrimage route will be in the Börzsöny Mountains,” he explained.
Fact
The Paulines were once at home everywhere in Hungary: in Pilis, the Buda Hills, Mecsek, South Balaton, Somogy County, the Balaton Uplands, and even further afield, throughout the Carpathian Basin, the Christian Democrat politician said. This presence still permeates Hungarian society today; it will not disappear, which is why it is important to show everyone the Pauline heritage through these pilgrimages, so that everyone can experience the Pauline spirit, which is not only a heritage but also the future of the Hungarian community.
The State Secretary also stated that it was important for those on the road to get as close as possible to God, to encounter the supernatural in nature, and to become better Hungarians and better Christians. This is a mission of Blessed Özséb.
He announced that he would work with Mihály Witzmann, the Fidesz member of parliament for the region, to build a lookout tower on one of the hills along the Balatonszemes pilgrimage route, which offers beautiful panoramic views. Lőrinc Nacsa thanked the Hungarian Pauline Order for their long-standing partnership, which has made it possible to realize a new religious tourism investment that pays worthy tribute to the Paulines and the Pauline Way.
Antal Puskás, representing the Pauline Order, said that the themed trails in Balatonszemes were made possible through cooperation and five million forints in state funding.
Mayor Zsolt Iváncsics (Fidesz-KDNP) emphasized that Balatonszemes preserves religious, historical, and cultural monuments, and that it is the municipality’s duty to pass these on to future generations.
It was stated at the ceremony that the trails in Balatonszemes will play an important role in making the Balaton region a year-round tourist destination.
Thanks to the Balaton Uplands National Park, the trails in Balatonszemes have been given a unique theme, showcasing nature and nature conservation.
Of the new pilgrimage routes, the Way of the Soul, which starts from the church where the handover ceremony took place, is almost 15 kilometers long, while the Way of Flames, which starts from the parking lot at the edge of the forest, is a few kilometers long and has content suitable for children.
The QR codes for the 48 stations of the five Pauline pilgrimage routes (in Pilis, around Budapest, in Mecsek and in Pécs) that were opened earlier have been downloaded 45,000 times so far, but certainly more people have walked, hiked, and made pilgrimages on these routes.
Related article
Full House at U.S. Premiere of “Hungarian Wedding” in New York
The red carpet screening was organized by the Liszt Institute New York.Continue reading
Via MTI; Featured photo: Facebook/Nacsa Lőrinc
The post Government Opens New Pauline Pilgrimage Routes to Promote Christian Heritage appeared first on Hungary Today.
Source link
