“The Lord, who determines the beginning of everything, shall also determine their end!” – 550 years ago the Christian army of Hungary stopped the Ottoman expansion at the doors of Europe. “The year 2006 is a special year of important anniversaries in the history of the Hungarian nation. The 23 October, feast of St. John Capestrano, will mark not only the 50th anniversary of the revolution and war of liberation in 1956, but also the 550th anniversary of the victory of Belgrade (Nándorfehérvár), when – on 22 July 1456 – the Christian people, encouraged by St. John Capestrano, with the words of the apostle Paul cited above, and commanded by János Hunyadi, stopped the advance of the Turkish army of Mohamed II”. To commemorate these important anniversaries, the Bishops’ Conference of Hungary had called for a year of reconciliation and prayer in 2006, with a view to the spiritual renewal of the nation. The many anniversary events also include an exhibition, called “In Defence of Europe”, inaugurated a month ago in the War Museum in Budapest. Organized by the Franciscan Province of St. John Capestrano, the Institute and Museum of War and the Military Ordinariate, it is intended to commemorate the great defenders of Christian Europe. The exhibition will remain open till 31 January 2007. The many historical objects on display include a bell commemorating the history of the midday bell, linked to the victory over the Turks at Belgrade. In fact, on 29 June 1456, Pope Callixtus III had issued a Bull ordering that the bells be pealed at midday in all churches, to invite the faithful to pray for the Christians fighting against the pagans. In various parts of Europe, the papal bull arrived together with news of the victory of Belgrade. The Pope himself then changed the prayer intention to one of thanksgiving for the Christian victory, through the centuries.
