Our most remarkable program was organized on 19-21 August 2024 when we had a common pilgrimage to Svatý Hostýn (i.e. Saint Hostýn) in Czech Republic with large families. The summary about this was written according to Laura Jánoska’s experience report.
The Large Family Association of Mátyusföld (Slovakia) organized a pilgrimage to Saint Hostýn in Czech Republic with a busload of people. During the three-day pilgrimage, we prayed in the churches of Kroměříž and Olomouc. Also we listened to the presentation by Tímea Surányi-Vadas, the vice president of Family Science Alliance, who took her presentation about the dangers threatening families in this era. Finally in Mírov we paid our respects at the grave of János Esterházy.
In the 13th century, Tatar armies threatened the entire European continent. The cruel armies also invaded Moravia in 1241, where they killed and plundered. According to legend, the people who hid in Hostýn escaped through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, who set the wild hordes ablaze with lightning. After this miracle, Hostýn became a place of pilgrimage. Hundreds of years have passed since then, and Evil is now attacking with new weapons. In Saint Hostýn, we all prayed that the Virgin Mary would save us from the ideological attacks that infect families. We walked through the Stations of the Cross, which reminded us that miracles actually happen in our everyday lives. But these miracles can only happen if we first suffer our own way of the cross with Jesus.
During the pilgrimage we not only met God, but also each other. While sharing our personal experiences we listened to each other’s life stories, from which I think we all learned a lot. While being on the pilgrimage, we had the opportunity to talk to each other in person. I personally feel that if we enter into a conversation with a pure spirit and Jesus in our hearts, we can be instruments in God’s hands. In this way we can pass on the message of the Gospel even as ordinary people.
It was nice to experience that our group was like a big family. Old and young people went on pilgrimage together. We were able to listen to the life experiences of the elderly people, and at the same time our days were gilded by the smiles, joy, and liveliness of the children. Many thanks to Csaba Pásztor for organizing this wonderful pilgrimage for us. We thank God for being with us and taking care of us the whole pilgrimage.
More than a month after this, on 6th October we held a family day, where we had the lessons learned meeting of 2024 and planned the main programs for 2025. Among these we consider as important to highlight one of our autumn programs, a family conference in Galanta, where we will cordially invite the board and members of ELFAC.
