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In 2016, Hungary is celebrating a
double-jubilee: the extraordinary Holy Year of Mercy, established by Pope
Francis, is joined by the celebration of the 17th centenary of the
birth of St Martin. Indeed, in the year 316, the territory of present-day
Hungary was the birthplace of Martin, perhaps one of the world’s most
well-known saints, thanks to the the event in which he took the cloak off his
back and shared it with a beggar.
Martin
is considered the saint par excellence of charity and of the works of
mercy, some of which are eminently linked to his birthplace, Pannonia. Thus, he
is excellent representative saint for the Jubilee called for by Pope Francis.
One
of the most eloquent symbols of the happy coincidence of these two jubilees is
represented by the Cathedral of Szombathely’s new bronze doors, created for
the anniversary and immediately inaugurated as the diocese’s Holy Door of the
Jubilee. The six panels that adorn it, work of the artist Gábor Veres, present
the most important episodes of Martin’s life.
András VeresBishop of Szombathely and President of the Hungarian Bishops’ Conference
