St. Stephen King of Hungary (2 September) ~ Dom Prosper Guéranger

About this sermon

St. Stephen transformed Hungary from a pagan nation feared across Europe into a Catholic kingdom and powerful defender of Christendom. This reading from The Liturgical Year recounts the arrival of the Magyars, the conversion and coronation of Stephen, and the establishment of a monarchy founded upon fidelity to Christ and union with the Apostolic See. Having received his crown from Pope Sylvester II, Stephen founded the Archdiocese of Esztergom and ten bishoprics, built religious houses, summoned holy counselors, and worked tirelessly until Hungary embraced the Catholic faith. His zeal earned him the title “Apostle of his nation.” Yet Stephen’s greatness was revealed most clearly in his humility and charity. He emptied his treasury for the poor, washed their feet, and secretly visited hospitals at night to serve the sick. His incorrupt right hand—known as the Holy Right—remains a celebrated relic of Hungary. With his wife, Blessed Gisela of Bavaria, Stephen raised their son St. Emeric in holiness. Above all, he possessed an ardent devotion to the Mother of God, built a magnificent church in her honor, and proclaimed her Patroness and Queen of Hungary. He died on the Feast of the Assumption in 1038, entrusting his kingdom to Our Lady. The closing prayer asks St. Stephen to protect Hungary, assist the Church, and preserve the Catholic nation he established upon the apostolic foundation. This historical text also reflects some of the sharp political and ethnic polemics of its nineteenth-century period. St. Stephen, Apostolic King of Hungary, pray for us! 0:00 St. Stephen, King of Hungary 0:16 From the violence of paganism to Christian charity 0:41 Hungary appeals to the Church of Rome 1:05 The Magyars enter the Danube plains 1:20 From scourge of Europe to rampart of the Church 1:51 Attila encounters Pope St. Leo the Great 2:08 The prophecy of an everlasting crown 2:42 The promise fulfilled in St. Stephen 3:12 Pope Sylvester II crowns Hungary’s king 3:29 The crown preceded by the Cross 3:53 Hungary founded upon the See of Peter 4:09 A fierce nation transformed through Baptism 4:33 Hungary’s flowering of sanctity 4:47 Stephen brings the faith and royal dignity to Hungary 5:02 Churches, charities and bishoprics 5:17 His extraordinary love for the poor 5:40 Giving away his household possessions 5:48 Secretly serving the sick at night 5:56 The miracle of his incorrupt right hand 6:04 Nights of prayer and contemplation 6:18 Protected from conspiracies and enemies 6:25 Blessed Gisela and their son St. Emeric 6:39 Governing with wise and holy counselors 6:48 Praying for a completely Catholic Hungary 7:02 Named the Apostle of his nation 7:10 His devotion to the Mother of God 7:19 Our Lady proclaimed Patroness of Hungary 7:26 Death on the Feast of the Assumption 7:34 Miracles surrounding his sacred body 7:51 Pope Innocent XI establishes his feast 8:06 Prayer to Hungary’s apostolic king 8:24 Hungary and the renewal of Christian Europe 8:42 Fidelity to the See of Peter 8:59 The gates of hell shall not prevail 9:24 New nations enter the Catholic Church 9:40 Hope for Hungary’s Catholic future 10:02 St. Martin and Our Lady watch over Hungary https://sensusfidelium.com/the-liturgical-year-dom-prosper-gueranger/september/september-2-st-stephen-king-of-hungary/ #SaintStephen #Hungary #CatholicSaints #TheLiturgicalYear #DomProsperGuéranger #TraditionalCatholic #CatholicFaith #CatholicHistory #HungarianSaints #ApostolicKing 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴