St. Stephen of Hungary (975-1038)
Image Courtesy: St. Paul Street Evangelization
Before St. Stephen was born, his mother the Duchess Sarolt had a vision of the original St. Stephen the First Martyr (Feast Day: 26 December) of the Church, he told her that she would have a son and that he would evangelize the land.
Duchess Sarlot and her husband, Duke Geza converted and were baptized by St. Adalbert of Prague (Feast Day: 22 April) he also baptized their son.
Stephen shared his father’s desire to bring Catholicism to Hungary and when he came to power, he built a Monastery and launched massive conversion efforts. Pope Sylvester II proclaimed him King and Stephen devoted himself to the poor and sick. Stephen built many Churches dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, established a Monastery in Jerusalem and spread the faith everywhere he could.
Stephen’s only living son St. Emeric (Feast Day: 05 November) was a strong Catholic and was expected to succeed him but he died in a hunting accident in 1031 — St. Stephen passed away in Hungary on this date in 1038, he was buried next to his son and they were both Canonized in 1083
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Related: Apostolic Letter of Pope John Paul II to the People of Hungary
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