Mindszenty Cardinal’s later pastoral activity and intellectual legacy is presented by an artistic installation that, with its perforated lighting, transforms this semi-circular hall into a trellis-like space – an “oasis”, in the Cardinal’s own words – depicting his period abroad in exile.
He called it an “oasis” when he met his beloved Hungarians scattered across the world. “Every Hungarian is a leaf on a common Hungarian tree.” (Cologne, 1 May 1973.)
Oasis – visiting Hungarians around the world
The final years of his life were made eventful and varied not only by his pastoral journeys, but also by the editing of his manuscripts – most importantly his Memoirs. Beyond many major European cities, he visited Hungarians living in the United States, Canada, South Africa, Australia, and South America.
Interesting fact: Mindszenty sent a pastoral letter from Caracas, Venezuela, on 21 April 1975, just two weeks before his death, to Hungarians living around the world: “Since I, too, had to leave my homeland on 28 September 1971, I have been travelling the world with minor interruptions, searching for Hungarians scattered across the globe.”
TIP: On the main façade of the Mindszentyneum, starting from the inscription “Csehimindszent”, you can discover all the places where József Mindszenty visited during his life, all the way to Cape Town!
From the Cardinal’s legacy, items connected to this period include his chasuble used at the Pázmáneum in Vienna, a special collection of ceremonial city keys received from American city leaders, and a Hungarian national flag received from the Hungarian community in Montreal.
Our curator, Dr. Tímea Kis-Nemes’ favourite:
The objects I find most dear stand out for their simplicity among those on display: these include the typewritten memoir written in 1960 in Vienna about Mindszenty by Gyula Bucsis, a secondary school teacher from Zalaegerszeg forced into exile, as well as a copy of Emil Csonka’s book *The Exiled Cardinal*, which came from the estate of parish priest Jenő Panágl of Tornyiszentmiklós. The latter was discreetly kept on the priest’s bookshelf under the title Emilio Vasari: Cardinalis relegatus. Both works are a moving reminder that the faithful of Zala did not forget Mindszenty despite the efforts of the state authorities.
From the Cardinal’s legacy: a special collection of ceremonial city keys received from American city leaders (including New York, Cleveland, San Francisco).
