Marosvásárhelyi Remete Szent Antal Plébánia

PARISH PRIEST

I was born in Sepsiszentgyörgy (SE-Transylvania)
on the 24th of December, 1972. My father is called Csaba,
my mother is Berta. I have a sibling, who is married.
I graduated "Mikes Kelemen High School" of Sepsiszentgyörgy
in 1991. I took holy orders together with 12 other youths
in Gyulafehérvár, on the 21st of June, 1998.
I have been living in Marosvásárhely (Center of Transylvania)
since September 2002.

At the age of 18, once I just felt as if God had addressed to me. I don't know why, but I started seeing this world and in it my own destiny in a greater coherence. This wasn't just a simple event but rather a beginning of a longer process, which still persists. A secret 'force', that I rather call "God's grace", carried me with itself. God lift me and started controlling my life.

I found the meaning of my life in the Catholic Church in serving people and in the mission that I have got from the sacrament of priesthood. I believe that our life is more than those few years between our birth and death and our longings can't be fulfilled in this world. I believe that notwithstanding the various pains we can do many good things in this world.

I don't like the attitude of life that is depressive, pessimistic, does not believe in the future, usually waits the end of this world or is against life on the Earth. I know that the wheat and the cornflower grow together, that light and shadow are always associated. Every human being is good deep in his/her breast, we only have to help each other with faith, hope and love to reveal our real face.
"But God demonstrated his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Roman 5:8

I like to be enthusiastic and to animate, to help people to get close to each other. My ideal is Jesus Christ, who found humans being the most precious thing in the world, not the laws nor the customs. My ideal is the apostle Saint Paul as well, who gave his life for establishing communities. My clerical credo is: existing and living simply in God's family as sibling among the siblings, but, from the Father's example, working as father, priest in order to keep this family alive, fruitful and happy. I try with all my capabilities, but mainly with the help of God's mercy, to do everything for this. Nowadays it is a present in my life that I am surrounded by precious, good people. It disturbs me if I am unable to do anything with my pains, if the castle of my soul is attacked from inside as well. It disturbs me if I find my own delimitations or I get in conflict with somebody. In this case the following things help me: a real prayer, a mass celebrated by me, a quiet adoration of the Eucharist or a visit at one of our brothers.

I came to know II. John Paul's mentality in the institute named after him in Rome. Since then I have been working with the spiritual health of families. Currently I am working together with the believers on building up the "Saint Family Church and Parish". I would like to offer this and all my life for God's glory.

István Szénégető