Margó Batthyány-Schmidt
Reflections on the occasion of the 94th anniversary of the heavenly birth of Blessed László Batthyány-Strattmann, the medical duke
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Margó Batthyány-Schmidt
Reflections on the occasion of the 94th anniversary of the heavenly birth of Blessed László Batthyány-Strattmann, the medical duke
“If you want to be happy, make others happy.”
Pope St. John Paul II said the following about Blessed László Batthyány-Strattmann in 2003 on the occasion of his beatification:
“The words of St. Paul the Apostle reflect well his devotion and lifestyle as a father and physician. Blessed László Batthyány-Strattmann used the rich inheritance of his noble ancestors to heal the sick free of charge and to build two hospitals. Non-material possessions were what interested him most. Success and career were not the goal of his life. He never put earthly treasures before the real riches: heavenly treasures.”
László Batthyány-Strattmann was born on October 28, 1870 in Dunakiliti as the sixth child of József II Batthyány and Ludovika Batthyány. His father abandoned his family and his mother died young, when László was only 12 years old.
In 1896 he met Mária Terézia Coreth, a strongly religious countess, and a year later they married. According to László's wishes, the wedding took place on Mizl's (affectionate nickname of the countess) birthday, November 10, in the Pledge Church in Vienna. Maria Coreth was a great woman, cheerful and sincere. Her deep religiosity influenced László, initiating him on the path of a holy life.
The marriage received an abundant blessing of children, in total 14, of which 11 reached adulthood. The first death was of their daughter, Mizike, at the age of 4, in 1905. Mourning led László Batthyány to live his faith to the full. The members of the family participated in Holy Mass every morning and prayed the rosary together in the evenings and the children recounted their daily good deeds. Their family's love and happiness came from their close relationship with God.
They educated their children according to principles ahead of their time. No matter their gender, religion or social rank, they treated everyone with the love they had learned from Jesus.
Their marriage was a worthy embodiment of the family ideal: their virtues included values toward the homeland, courage, trust and exemplarity. Uncompromising values for all social groups. The ideals of commitment to Faith, Family, Nation, Land and Community took on real meaning.
After they married, they moved to Köpcseny, where they opened a private hospital and began to practice. He spent all his wealth on modernizing the hospital, specializing in eye surgery. He treated the poorest patients free of charge. Here his children continued to be born, and this was his home until 1920.
Upon receiving the title of duke and the Batthyány-Strattmann family trust, they moved to Körmend, where the famous Batthyány castle complex became their new home. Creating a warm family nest played an important role in their lives.
In Körmend again he founded a hospital, which still retains its dignified memory today.
The life of László Batthyány-Strattmann and his marriage to Mária Terézia Coreth is considered exemplary even today. The count walks the path of God, drawing on his faith in everyday life with his wife. They lived their lives together, finding a balance between family and profession. Their undying love is exemplary. Their marriage serves as a moral and religious compass for today's families, as does their family motto which they changed to pray thus:
“Vitalitate et Caritate - With loyalty and love”.
The Dukes' Doctor is the title of the documentary that commemorates his work by showing the main stages of his life, and can be viewed free of charge at the following link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrbyQysEpiY&t=230s .
His life, both professional and personal, is exemplary even for people today. Perhaps the best way to describe Blessed László Batthyány-Strattmann is with his own phrase, which he left us as his legacy:
“If you want to be happy, make others happy.”
Author: Margó Batthyány-Schmidt
President of the Hungarian Batthyány Foundation
Source: Hungarian Batthyany Foundation
The authors are responsible for the choice and presentation of the facts contained in this document and for the opinions expressed therein, which are not necessarily those of Tourism and Society Think Tank and do not commit the Organization, and should not be attributed to TSTT or its members.
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