On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the beatification of Dr. László Batthyány–Strattmann, a commemoration was held in Körmend, which was attended by Member of Parliament Imre Vejkey, leader of the Hungarian Parliamentary Prayer Group, and Dr. György Bakondi, Chairman Emeritus of the Hungarian Parliamentary Prayer Group Foundation.
The festive program began with a visit to the Batthyány Castle, after which those interested could gain an insight into the operation of the Batthyány Heritage Center. The arriving guests were first greeted by István Bebes, the mayor of Körmend, who emphasized in his speech: the city pays tribute to the memory of the beatified Dr. László Batthyány–Strattmann with the church and statue erected in his honor and the scholarship named after him.
Member of Parliament Imre Vejkey, leader of the Hungarian Parliamentary Prayer Group, spoke about how the prince physician was a true man. "There was one of us who not only sought the Lord's way, but also found it along with the old Hungarian saying that the eye is the mirror of the soul." Quoting the message of the prince physician Mr. Vejkey recalled the teaching of the Gospel: "if we really want to be happy, we should not put earthly goods before heavenly treasures. Let us stand steadfastly for the truths of the Lord and the Bible.”
Dr. György Bakondi, Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Trustees of the Hungarian Parliamentary Prayer Group Foundation, spoke in his celebratory speech about beatification, which is the solemn declaration that the deceased has come to see the face of God: he practiced the virtues to a heroic degree, that is, he professed faith. With his beatification, Dr. László Batthyány–Strattmann’s love for God and humanity was recognized, which determined his entire life and being and all his actions.
In his speech, deacon–parish priest László Kiss praised the saintly doctor, who "could accept the crosses of his life and suffering, he saw those in need, he recognized God. According to the father, it is the task of all of us to become the same seers as he was in his beatified life. Finally, he expressed his joy that the process of beatification of the prince’s spouse, Mária Terézia Coreth, had begun.
