Wednesday, March 20, 2013

THE HISTORY OF THE FRANCISCANS IN HUNGARY : BUDAPEST GUIDE

BUDAPEST GUIDE : A HISTORY OF RELIGIOUS ORDERS IN HUNGARY link!

"The Franciscans founded their first community in Hungary 1224, in Esztergom. Bela IV appreciated the work of the Franciscans so much, that he made sure to get buried in the monastery in Esztergom himself. He also supported the Franciscans work preaching and converting heretics like Bogomils in Hungary. Just like the other orders the Franciscans experience decline in their number in the 14th century, but they were more fortunate than the other monastic orders during the Ottoman rule, as they were allowed to keep up their pastoral work.

Like the other monastic orders the Franciscans suffered during the reign of Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II, though some monks made big sacrifices to keep on living acording to their monastic ideals.

Before the First World War the Franciscans consisted of five provinces in Hungary, though after the peace treaty of Trianon only two of these remained. During communism several monks suffered and were killed for their faith and life as monks, and 18 monastic communities were closed down. Some Franciscan schools were allowed to operate during communism."