October 2
Szilárd Bogdánffy, bishop and martyr (1911–1953)
martyr bishop
Romanian bishop of Hungarian origin and martyr of the communist regime, Szilárd Bogdánffy stood out as an educator, catechist and trainer of seminarians.
Biography
Ordained a priest in 1934, he accompanied young people, the sick and people with mental suffering, and during the persecution he also helped threatened Jews. Clandestinely consecrated bishop in 1949, he was arrested a few months later. He refused to collaborate in the creation of a Church separate from Rome and endured interrogations, beatings, forced labor and successive imprisonments. Even when he was sick, he shared food and spiritually supported other prisoners. He died in Aiud prison on October 3, 1953.
Practical advice
Maintain a fair conviction today without aggressiveness, even if giving in would offer you an immediate advantage.