The activities and operational plan of the Saint Stephen of Hungary Foundation for Worship and Religion are designated by the Articles of Association as amended and approved in 2021. The Foundation’s Rules of Operation were approved by the Roman Vicariate, with the consent of the Hungarian Bishops’ Conference, as the body is operational in the territory of the Diocese of Rome.
Among the various objectives set out in the statute, there is first and foremost the reception and assistance of Hungarian pilgrims arriving in Rome. A task that the Foundation fulfils through careful activity at St. Stephen’s House.
The second area of responsibility of the Foundation, in order of importance, is the support of the Hungarian Catholic mission in Italy, the strengthening of spiritual and cultural cohesion and the pastoral care of Hungarians in Italy. Ensuring these services is Mgr Norbert Németh, president of the foundation in office since August 2020 and pastoral head of the Hungarian Catholic communities in Rome and Italy. For the Hungarian Catholic community in Rome, Mgr. Németh has scheduled a Hungarian-language Mass on the last Sunday of every month at the Basilica of Santo Stefano Rotondo. He also takes care of the Hungarian communities living in the main Italian cities, including Milan, Turin, Parma, Bologna, Florence, Venice, Padua, Loreto, Palermo and Catania.
In the Foundation’s premises, located in the Casa di Santo Stefano, a special multi-purpose hall has also been prepared, at the request of the new board of directors and with the support of the Hungarian Bishops’ Conference, to welcome the Hungarian community in Rome not only every last Sunday of the month, but also on other cultural occasions, aimed at strengthening the cohesion of the same community in terms of language and national identity.
Other objectives of the Foundation also include supporting Hungarian priests or seminarians in Rome, as well as cherishing the memories of the Foundation’s founders.
