Healing action is important in the life of the Lord – Lower German home for psychiatric patients opened Hungarian Courier

At the ceremony, Vác County Bishop Marton Zsolt blessed the recently renovated building. Pálfay Gellért, head of the Samaritan Service, and Viktória Jeszenszki, head of the Szegletkő Home, were also present at the event.

The Szegletkő Home was opened in March 2023 for psychiatric patients who require nursing and care. Between 2005 and 2021, the institution provided care to young drug users and children in state care, but this form of care has ceased. Director Pálfay Gellért said that after the closure of the children’s home, there was a two-year break in the life of the institution. “Thank you very much for the work of all those who have done a lot in the last one and a half to two years so that this institution can come to life with a new function. We have hope, we believe we can discover so much beauty in this work, but at the same time we have also experienced that we have to face many tasks and difficulties. That’s why it’s important not only to rely on our human resources, but also on God’s helpful providence, because we really need it,” said the leader of the Samaritan Service.

The institution is located on a two-hectare green area in a quiet, peaceful neighborhood, so it is also an excellent therapy location. Before its opening, the Diocese of Váci renovated the former building at a cost of HUF 30 million from its own resources: interior spaces were remodeled and a water block was created to make the building suitable for the care of psychiatric patients. Thanks to the comprehensive renovation, the home received an operating license for the reception of twenty patients.

During the blessing ceremony, an excerpt from the Gospel of Matthew was read, and those present could hear about Jesus’ work in Galilee. “Jesus traveled around his homeland, teaching the Jews of his time in the synagogues. Teaching is important in the Lord’s life, but action is also his priority, and healing action is also important,” Bishop Zsolt Marton began his speech, then continued by saying that Jesus did not just give treatment to the sick, but healed the whole person. “When we bless a healing, caring place, like this home, we ask that the healing presence of Jesus enter here. So that it is not just our human power that is present; of course it is also important, since we are the extended hands and feet of Jesus Christ. We are also instruments in this service, but He is the one who heals.”

In addition to basic care, the institution also provides mental health care for the residents, and also regularly organizes external programs, excursions, craft, art and exercise classes for them. The institution offers the opportunity to freely practice one’s faith, the home also has a chapel.

Source: Diocese of Váci

Photo: Gábor Hollai

Hungarian Courier