"A city can be the symbol of the world, the profane world. It is a place where people having different cultures, religions, and ideologies meet each other; a place where the greatest danger lies in disinterest...increasing loneliness and faceless greyness as opposed to the richness of individuality and identity lived not at the cost of others," Hungary's Cardinal Péter Erdő says on the website of Városmisszió.
Inspired by Pope John Paul II's urging for a "New Evangelisation", Erdő says "several cardinals of various European cities realised that the richness of our faith should be presented to the world in a new way. We should show the sign of Christ's Good News to everyone as well as all the cultural and human richness of Christianity in Europe. Therefore we turn to the inhabitants of European cities bravely but not arrogantly using the help of the modern ways of communication, that of spectacles, arts and music."
The relics of Saint Thérése de Lisieux arrive at Saint Stephen's Basilica, where Cardinal Péter Erdő? celebrated a special mass for the start of Városmisszió, or "City Mission", an effort by the Catholic church to evangelize as well as encourage dialogue between believers and non-believers in a contemporary and modern setting. Similar City Mission events were earlier held in Vienna, Paris, Lisbon and Brussels. Photo: Szilárd Koszticsák (MTI)
During the week, Catholics will make a special effort to bear witness to their faith in Budapest's streets, squares, film clubs, cafés and concert halls.
The first City Mission took place in May, 2003, in Vienna. City Missions later took place in Paris, Lisbon and Brussels. Cardinal Erdő announced the plans for Budapest's City Mission in November of last year.
The week started with an afternoon mass at Saint Stephen's Basilica on the afternoon of September 16 celebrated by Cardinal Erdő. The relics of Saint Thér?se de Lisieux will presented at the mass and placed on view for the whole week. On the preceding evening, many churches remained open late into the evening, offering special programmes and concerts.
During the remainder of the week, a central programme, as well as programmes made by individual churches, will offer a variety of events at many venues in the capital. There will be street concerts, travelling performances, musical productions, a street ball, book sales and, for children, puppet shows. At all of these events, the organisers aim to create a café-like atmosphere where visitors can enjoy free coffee or tea with a sandwich or cake, and talk.
Details of the programme are available at any of Budapest's Catholic churches or at the www.varosmisszio.hu homepage. I would especially recommend the programmes organised by the Order of the Jesuits in Mária u. and Horánstky u. as well as on Mikszáth tér.
