In the Jubilee Holy Year, the Diocese of Debrecen-Nyíregyháza held its pilgrimage in Máriapócs, according to tradition, which was attended by thousands of faithful despite the unfavourable weather. The main celebrant of the festive Holy Mass was Dr. Lajos Pápai, retired Bishop of Győr. The Holy Mass was attended by Ferenc Palánki, Diocesan Bishop, Nándor Bosák, Bishop Emeritus, Dr. István Németh, Episcopal Secretary, Dr. Zoltán Krakomperger, Vicar General, István Heidelsperger, Episcopal Vicar, the clergy of the diocese, as well as the heads of educational and social institutions maintained by the diocese, and the staff of the Episcopal Office.
As could be seen in the weather forecasts, the stormy weather arrived in Máriapócs in the evening hours of Saturday, but despite this, many pilgrim groups arrived at the site by bicycle, on foot or by bus. Bishop Ferenc Palánki made a pilgrimage from Levelek to Máriapócs with the participants of the Diocesan Youth Camp.
From the early hours, the faithful could take part in Eucharistic adoration in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, and continuous confession was also available until the beginning of the festive Holy Mass.
The highlight of the day was the festive Holy Mass, which was held in the Shrine Church due to the stormy weather. The Holy Mass was celebrated by the clergy of the diocese, led by Dr. Lajos Pápai, retired Bishop of Győr. In his homily, Dr. Lajos Pápai spoke about the foundation of our faith, whose homily can be heard here:
At the end of the Holy Mass, Bishop Ferenc Palánki thanked the organisers of the pilgrimage, Father Péter Mosolygó, Director of the National Shrine, for the loving reception, his brother priests for their availability and for hearing confessions, the organisers of the Diocesan Youth Camp for their work, the young people, the faithful of the diocese for their presence, and especially thanked the pilgrims on foot and by bicycle for their offering for our diocese, our families, our loved ones, our sick, and those in need.
At the diocesan pilgrimage, Bishop Ferenc Palánki awarded the PRO COMMUNITATE CHRISTIANA award to those outstanding individuals who enrich the believing community of the diocese with their particularly noteworthy and exemplary church-building activities or life's work.
The 2025 laureates:
- Éva Heteyné Kiss
- Margit Mészáros
- Erzsébet Molnár Józsefné Fodor
- Anna Réti Nagy
- Zsuzsanna Ragány
In addition, it was announced that after hearing the opinion of the council of advisors, he had awarded priestly honours to several fathers serving in the diocese.
At the end of the festive Holy Mass, those present also prayed before the Blessed Sacrament - those who could follow the events in the church not only in the church, but also in the covered area with amplification or projection - for our diocese, our communities, and for peace.
According to tradition, this year's diocesan pilgrimage ended with the Litany of Loreto.
Thank you to everyone who visited this year's pilgrimage to pray for our Diocese!