Motoros Búcsú. Motoros zarándoklat a Szentkút-völgyi Szűz Mária-kápolnához Ecséden

Virgin Mary Chapel Foundation of Szentlapos

Our addresses:
Valley of Szentkút.
Hungary-Ecséd 3013, Akácfa u. 36.
Website: www.szentkutvolgye.hu

Dear christian brother,

There are several places in Hungary where in the past 1000 years prodigies happened. These places of the revelation of God mostly are in connection with Jesus Christ’s mother, Virgin Mary’s appearances, who falls hers tears because of the sins people commit against each other, and she warns us against danger.

Ecséd village of Heves county was also a place for such prodigies in the 1800s, the last appearance of Virgin Mary was registered in 1898. The traditions and archives documents verify the stories in connection with Maria’s appearance. The fountain-head that appeared in that place has healed people then and nowadays as well. According to the archives documents several thousands of pilgrims has visited the valley of Szentkút- according to the tradition it is called Szentlapos because of the geological and geographical effects of the territory.

The storms of the world wars and the enforced atheist decades in Hungary hamstringed the fortune of the place of worship, the water of fountain-head feeding only animals. After more than 150 years in the summer of 2000, in the millenium year of Hungary, with the help of old documents, military map from the 1800s, and a local enthusiastic catholic family the exploration of the place of worship began.

The fountain-head like a candle in the dark showed the way and possibilities for reviving the long forgotten Szentkút valley. Since the exploration there have been several prodigies to which there’s no scientifical explanation. And this fact motivates us in further research and ensuring the place to shine in its past light and to have a place in history.

Therefore the local little group created a foundation in 2001, with the aim to build a chapel and by doing this, making the place more beautiful and aesthetic for the pilgrims. These aims were supported by the owners of the land- who handed about 7000 km2 to the foundation-, and by the then in being prime minister.

After founding the Szentlapos Virgin Mary Chapel Foundation, the aforementioned support established the factual work, which was hard and trying but it was a grand objective to get the help of supporters, to coordinate the social work and to materialize it. It wasn’t easy but it was a success that in 2002 the foundation stone was set, in 2003 two bigger companies of the building industry gave support and reduction, and by this, by december 2003 after 1800 working hours and with the help of 200 people the chapel got under roof after 5 months. But it reached completion only by 2004, when the consecration was held.
In 2004 the enthusiasm was bigger then expected, so we continued the building process, the community was eager to do the work and quick to act, which resulted in the consecration of the chapel in aug 14th, 2004 in feast of assumption. It was the first build chapel of Hungary in the 21st century.

At last, a strong and new fastness of the catholic christian faith was built in this renewing place of worship. It is built, but is not yet in its final form. More donation is needed for the chapel to shine in its complete form and for the belonging infrastructures as well.

In 2005 we started conducting a multi-lateral organizing, collecting donations and applying for tenders, but with no affect. In 2005 we developed only the spiritual and designer level, we conducted researches, since we didn’t have enough support for the building. Though we used that year to make people familiar with the history of the place of worship. For example the book on its history was published (Kairosz Publisher Co.- Hungary), and also a Kinghthood was formed to cherish old traditions.

The beginning of the year 2006 was already luckier, and thanks to the successful tender, the road to the place of worship was built in May. This is a huge success, though the present cabinet’s tenders do not enable the foundation (because of its christian aims) to apply for further tenders, so the chapel could shine in its complete form. Unfortunately the present cabinet is not the protector of catholic faith. Furthermore we have to admit that our nation is just in a hard period, we don’t have very big opportunities because of the lack of material basis and this just throws our work back. Though the founders of the Szentlapos Virgin Mary Chapel foundation are determined to reach the final aims. That is why we are trying to fight and struggle for reaching our objectives by addressing new supporters and creating new possibilities for strengthening our catholic faith.

József Hegedűs
Head of the advisory board
Member of the knighthood