Vilmos was born in the mountainous region of northern Romania. He became a priest in 1915 and served near the present Romanian border. In the fist world war he was sent to the Italian front where his already strong commitment to the poor was strengthened by the suffering he saw.

By the time the 2nd world war came round he had become bishop. He spoke about the persecution of the Jews particularly during the time when thousands were being sent to death camps. He wrote “I protest before God, Hungary and the world against these measures which are in contradiction to human rights”. Everything he requested and tried to do was refused.

He kept 400 refugees in his own home which he equipped with food supplies and generators. When the Russians advanced into Hungary in 1944 he did everything to protect his people. But on the evening of Good Friday he was shot as he tried to protect a young woman from some drunken Russian soldiers. He died on Easter Monday. He was beatified by Pope John II in 1997 and remains an outstanding example to the plight of refugees in our world today.

Today is his feast day and we ask his many blessings on us. Amen