St. Stephen of Hungary was born in 969. Originally named Vajk, he was the son of the Hungarian chieftain Geza. In 985, he and his father were baptized by Archbishop St Adalbert of Prague, and he took the name Stephen. At 20, he married Gisela, the sister of Henry III of Bavaria. After his father's death, Stephen is said to have obtained from Pope Sylvester II the title and crown of "Apostolic King of Hungary. " At the same time, the Holy See gave him permission to further the Christianization of his realm by establishing ten bishoprics and assigning prominent foreign monks. Priests and religious came in large numbers from France, Italy, and especially Germany. Many German knights and nobles settled in the country and helped spread the faith. At his coronation on Christmas Day in 1000, St. Stephen consecrated Hungary to the Blessed Virgin. St. Stephen said, "Be humble in this life, that God may raise you up in the next." The establishment of a wise Christian constitution marked the reign of this first Christian king of Hungary. Stephen decreed that every tenth town should build a church and furnish land and workers for the support of a priest. The priest was chosen by the bishop and received the necessary books from him, but the king furnished and equipped the church buildings. Stephen also founded hospices in Rome, Ravenna, Constantinople, and a monastery in Jerusalem. Stephen died on 15 August 1038 and was canonized along with his son Emeric by Pope St. Gregory VII in 1083. He is revered as Hungary's greatest saint and hero. His right hand, which has remained incorrupt and represents his country's most treasured relic, is enshrined in a chapel in the great church of Our Lady of Buda.
St. Stephen of Hungary, you fostered the growth of the Holy Catholic church while a king on earth; obtain for us the grace to defend the Holy Catholic church with love. Amen.
Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,
Most High Servant,
Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love
(Blessed and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels)
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