Cím: 1146 Budapest, Ajtósi Dürer sor 27/A | Telefonszám: +36 1 479 2000
Hungarian Catholic Social Service
Welcome to the website of the Hungarian Catholic Social Service!
We believe that service is not merely a social responsibility, but a calling: to turn toward every fellow human being with love. Maintained by the Hungarian Catholic Bishops’ Conference, the Hungarian Catholic Social Service is guided by a commitment rooted in faith to accompany our elderly brothers and sisters, families, people living with disabilities, and all those in need along their life’s journey, in the light of God’s love.
Thank you for joining us in this mission.
Dr. Norbert Vajda
Director General
The Hungarian Catholic Social Service is the official professional methodological centre of the Catholic Church. As an institution, we provide everyday care for:
- the elderly
- premature babies
- infants and young children born with mobility and other developmental disabilities
- people with severe cumulative disabilities
We also offer shelter for adults and young children who are at risk of homelessness or domestic violence, and function as a mental health rehabilitation centre for young people with cancer and their families, and recently we’ve also started to provide support for addicts and their families. We do this in the spirit of the Catholic Church, while involving professionals, to build value-centred local communities.
History
The Hungarian Catholic Social Service was founded in 1950 by the Hungarian Catholic Bishops' Conference to care for elderly, debilitated monks and nuns who were left without care due to the dissolution of monastic orders. The communist state had taken more than 600 buildings from the monastic orders and designated five to house the homeless. The members of the Hungarian Catholic Social Service nurtured their physical and mental well-being in their difficult situation.
During these years, by God's grace, two outstanding monks were appointed to lead the Humanitarian Service: Jesuit Father Gábor Szörényi and Sister of Mercy Erna Szabó from Sorores Misericordiae de S. Vincentio de Paul de Szatmár.
Their personalities were pivotal in making these houses an epitome of love and solidarity even thorough the darkest times.
Piarist Father Ottó Virányi took over the leadership of the Humanitarian Service from Father Gábor Szörényi in 1980 and led it with generosity until his death. Katalin M. Luciána Zalán, Sister of Mercy of Satu Mare, contributed to the care of elderly priests and monks through her decades of service.
Our homes’ residents have defined the devotional atmosphere of our institutions. The Sisters of Mercy taught and guided the personnel with their exemplary diligence and boundless trust in God.
Using their teaching as our base guidelines, we have built strong, skilled personnels throughout the country.
Today, we are selecting our personnel carefully, making sure that they are highly skilled and dedicated to serving those in their charge. Regular training and retreats contribute greatly to our commitment to serve those entrusted to us.