Havlík was beatified on August 31 in Slovakia, honored for his courage and fidelity to the Gospel under the communist regime.
An Example of Hope and Forgiveness
On August 31, the beatification ceremony of Ján Havlík, CM, a Slovak seminarian of the Congregation of the Mission of St. Vincent de Paul, took place at the National Shrine in Šaštín, Slovakia. Born on February 12, 1928, Havlík endured persecution, torture, and forced labor for 14 years under the communist regime due to his unwavering 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, cheerful in company, open and attentive to the needs of others.” Despite his arrest, which led to the gradual deterioration of his health, Havlík remained steadfast. Cardinal Semeraro emphasized: “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 further highlighted 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.”
The Words of Pope Francis
During the Angelus prayer, Pope Francis asked for applause for the new Blessed and exclaimed: “May his perseverance in bearing witness to faith in Christ encourage those who still suffer similar trials.” The Holy Father’s words served as an appeal 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, including a group of Slovaks, enthusiastically celebrated the new Blessed.
The Vision of the Congregation of the Mission
Father Tomaž Mavrič C.M., Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission and also present at the ceremony, underlined the significance of this event for the entire Vincentian Family Movement. “Blessed Janko shows us, through his example, how he managed to embody Vincentian spirituality and charism in his life during a specific and difficult historic period”, he said. He noted that Ján’s beatification is “a heavenly invitation to renew the spirit of mercy towards the needy” and an motivation to courageously follow the values of the faith.
A Testimony of Faithfulness to God
In his homily, Cardinal Semeraro recalled the words of Blessed Ján Havlík to his fellow prisoners: “Show now what you have inside you, what you think of your missionary vocation.” These words resonated deeply among the faithful gathered in the Basilica of the Seven Sorrows of the Virgin Mary, reminding everyone that even in prison, Ján Havlík maintained an unwavering missionary attitude. He organized secret masses, administered communion, and professed his faith openly before the guards, earning the nickname “the priest” from his fellow prisoners.
Inspiration for Today
Father Mavric emphasized that the figure of Ján Havlík continues to be a luminous witness for many young people, inspiring them to fidelity and sacrifice even in adverse circumstances. “The life witness of Ján’s life shows that it is worthwhile to be courageous in showing mercy to one’s neighbor because in the end, the rewarder will be the heavenly Father,” he said. He also underlined that Havlík is a model of apostolic zeal, an example of how to proclaim the Gospel and bring hope in difficult conditions.
Cardinal Semeraro appealed to all 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 met with loud applause from the faithful and members of the Vincentian Family Movement present in Šaštín.
A Lasting Legacy
Ján Havlík’s life and sacrifice continue to resonate today as a call to keep faith and hope alive, even in the darkest of times. The Congregation of the Mission, which is approaching the Jubilee for the 400th anniversary of its foundation, sees his beatification as a reason for gratitude and an opportunity to renew its missionary spirit, following the example of charity and service that Ján Havlík embodied until the end of his days.
About the Congregation of the Mission
The Congregation of the Mission (CM) of St. 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, one and the other consecrated to the evangelization of the poor, by means of the 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 the one that St. Vincent de Paul wanted: the popular missions, taking care to form the laity. These are carried out over a long period of time (three to five weeks) and a long period of time (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/
