Ján Havlík was beatified on August 31 in Slovakia, recognizing his courage and fidelity to the Gospel under the communist regime.
An example of hope and forgiveness
On August 31, at the National Shrine of Šaštín, Slovakia, the beatification ceremony of Ján Havlík, CM, a Slovak seminarian of the Congregation of the Mission of St. Vincent de Paul, took place. Born on February 12, 1928, Havlík suffered persecution, torture, and forced labor for 14 years under the communist regime, due to his firmness in the Christian faith and his desire to become a priest.
During the beatification ceremony, Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, who presided over the rite, described Ján Havlík as “a balanced person, joyful, happy in company, open and attentive to the needs of others,” who saw his health gradually deteriorate after his arrest. The cardinal said: “The love of Christ is the strength that makes us overcome weakness, the energy that makes us overcome fear, the light that makes us overcome darkness.” He also stressed that “it was the virtue of hope that made him grow and sustained his vocation. A sign of hope is already the choice to be a disciple of St. Vincent de Paul,” a saint who gave hope to the poor and the suffering. “Ján was truly a ray of sunshine for those who knew him.”
Pope Francis’ words
In the Angelus prayer, Pope Francis asked for applause for the new blessed and said: “May his perseverance in bearing witness to the faith in Christ be an encouragement to all those who today suffer similar trials.” The Holy Father’s words resonated as a call to the international community to recognize and value the strength of Christian witness in the face of persecution. The faithful present in St. Peter’s Square, led by a group of Slovaks, enthusiastically supported the applause for the new blessed.
The vision of the Congregation of the Mission
The Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission, Father Tomaž Mavrič C.M., also present at the ceremony, underlined the importance of this event for the entire Vincentian Family Movement. “Blessed Ján Havlík shows us by his example how he managed to embody Vincentian spirituality and charisma in his life, in a specific and difficult historical period,” said Mavric. According to him, Ján’s beatification is “a heavenly invitation to renew the spirit of mercy towards those in need” and an encouragement to courageously follow the values of faith.
A testimony of fidelity to God
In the homily of the beatification rite, Cardinal Semeraro recalled the words of Blessed Ján Havlík to his fellow prisoners: “Show now what you carry inside, what you really think of your missionary vocation.” These words resonated strongly among the faithful gathered in the Basilica of the Seven Sorrows of the Virgin Mary, reminding everyone that Ján Havlík, even in prison, maintained an unwavering missionary attitude. He organized secret masses, distributed communion and openly professed his faith before the guards, being called “the priest” by his companions.
An inspiration for today
Father Mavric, superior of the Congregation, stressed that the figure of Ján Havlík remains a luminous witness for many young people, inspiring them to fidelity and sacrifice, even in adverse circumstances. “The witness of Ján’s life shows that it is worth being courageous in showing mercy to one’s neighbour, because in the end, the heavenly Father will be the rewarded,” said the superior general. He also stressed that Havlík is a model of apostolic zeal, an example of how to announce the Gospel and bring hope in difficult conditions.
Cardinal Semeraro appealed to all those present: “May the life of Blessed Ján Havlík inspire us to live our faith with courage and commitment, remembering that every moment, even in difficulty, is an opportunity to bear witness to Christ.” These words were received with strong applause from the faithful and members of the Vincentian Family Movement present in Šaštín.
A lasting legacy
The life and sacrifice of Ján Havlík still resonate today as a call to keep faith and hope alive, even in the darkest of times. The Congregation of the Mission, which is on the threshold of the Jubilee for the 400th anniversary of its foundation, sees in his beatification a reason for gratitude and an opportunity to renew its missionary spirit, following the example of charity and service that he embodied until the end of his days.
About the Congregation of the Mission
The Congregation of the Mission (CM) of Saint Vincent de Paul is a “society of apostolic life,” governed by General Assemblies held every six years, and by a Superior General, who resides in Rome and is supported by a Vicar General and Four Assistants. It is composed of priests and brothers, all consecrated to the evangelization of the poor, through their vows. St. Vincent de Paul recommended to his followers the practice of five virtues: humility, simplicity, meekness, mortification and apostolic zeal. These are indispensable interior dispositions in the proclamation of the Gospel. The main work remains that which St. Vincent de Paul wanted: popular missions, taking care to form the laity. These are carried out over a strong period (three to five weeks) and a long period of impulse (six to ten years) in a sector. The community also animates parishes and pilgrimages in the line of welcoming and forming. More information: cmglobal.org/en/
