Notre Dame de Rouen. The façade of the Gothic Church in France. Photographer: Hippo1947. Licence: SHUTTERSTOCK.

Saturday, 2 September 2023

Saint Stephen. King And Confessor. Feast Day, Today, 2 September.


Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless otherwise stated.

Saint Stephen.
   King and Confessor.
   Feast Day 2 September.

Semi-Double.

White Vestments.


English: Saint Matthias Church, Budapest, Hungary.
[Editor: The first Church on the site was founded
by Saint Stephen, King of Hungary, in 1015.]
Magyar: Mátyás-templom és a Szentháromság tér.
Photo: 27 January 2014.
Source: Own work.
Author: Thaler Tamas
(Wikimedia Commons)


English: Coat-of-Arms of Hungary. Per Pale, the first, barry of eight, Gules and Argent, the second, Gules, on a Mount, Vert, a Crown, Or, issuant therefrom a Double Cross, Argent. 
In Crest, Holy Crown of Hungary.”
Magyar: A Magyar Köztársaság címere hegyes talpú, hasított pajzs. Első mezeje vörössel és ezüsttel hétszer vágott. Második, vörös mezejében zöld hármas halomnak arany koronás kiemelkedő középső részén ezüst kettős kereszt. A pajzson a magyar Szent Korona nyugszik.
Blazon Reference:
Date: 1 January 2009.
Source: Own work.
Artist: Thommy
(Wikimedia Commons)


The Hungarian National Anthem.
Available on YouTube at


English: National Song of Hungary,
Saint Stephen, King of Hungary, Church,
Chicago, Illinois, United States of America.
Magyar: Nemzeti dal, a Magyar.
Szent István magyar király templom,
Chicago, Illinois, Egyesült Államok.
Available on YouTube at

A descendant of those proud and terrible invaders, The Huns, Stephen was chosen by God to win over his subjects to Christ and His Vicar.

He was given the Baptismal name of Stephen, in consequence of his mother having a vision of the Martyr, Saint Stephen, who foretold her that he would convert Hungary, whose first King he became when the Pope had raised the Country into a Kingdom.


English: Saint Matthias Church,
Budapest, Hungary.
Magyar: Mátyás-templom.
Photo: 12 November 2013.
Source: Own work.
Author: Thaler Tamas
(Wikimedia Commons)

Having married the sister of the Emperor, Saint Henry, he surrounded himself, to govern his Kingdom, with men of tried Holiness and Prudence. He passed entire nights in the contemplation of Heavenly things (Introit), practised the greatest austerities, and, seconded by the Queen, his pious spouse, gave abundant alms (Epistle) to widows and Churches.


English: Budapest, Hungary, and the River Danube.
Saint Matthias Church is on the sky-line.
Magyar: Pestről nézve.
Photo: 12 November 2013.
Source: Own work.
Author: Thaler Tamas
(Wikimedia Commons)

The greatness of his zeal, for the propagation of The Faith, justly won for him the Title of Apostolic King or of Apostle of Hungary, and deservedly obtained for him from The Holy See the privilege, transmitted to his successors, to have The Cross borne before him.

He built a large Basilica in honour of Mary, whom he proclaimed Patroness of Hungary. "His zeal in propagating and strengthening The Faith in his Kingdom earned for him the glory of a Heavenly Crown" (Postcommunion).

He died in 1038 on "The Day of The Great Lady", as The Feast of The Assumption was called by the Hungarians, in virtue of an edict of the Holy King.

Mass: Os justi.


English: Saint Matthias Church,
Budapest, Hungary.
Magyar: Mátyás-templom.
Photo: 23 June 2013.
Source: Own work.
Author: Thaler Tamas
(Wikimedia Commons)

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