Born: 1899 (Kassa, Slovakia)
Died: 1944 (Hungary)
Biography:
Sára Salkaházi, SSS (born Sarolta Klotild Schalkház; 11 May 1899 – 27 December 1944) was a Hungarian Catholic religious sister who saved the lives of approximately one hundred Jews during World War II. Denounced and summarily executed by the pro-Nazi Arrow Cross Party, Salkaházi was beatified in 2006.
Early life:
Sára Salkaházi was born in Kassa (now Košice, Slovakia) on 11 May 1899 to Leopold and Klotild Schalkház, owners of the Hotel Schalkhaz in Kassa. The family was of German origin. Tragically, her father passed away when she was just two years old. Despite this loss, Sára grew up as a spirited and independent tomboy. She displayed a strong will and a mind of her own, leading her to be described by her brother in this manner.
Education and career:
Sára obtained an elementary school teacher’s degree and later worked as a bookbinder’s apprentice and in a millinery shop. Interestingly, she also pursued a career in journalism and even edited the official paper of the National Christian Socialist Party of Czechoslovakia. During this time, Sára was far from devout and even flirted with atheism. She was previously engaged to be married, but ultimately ended the engagement.
Religious life:
Despite her initial hesitation, Sára joined the Sisters of Social Service in 1929 and took her first vows on Pentecost in 1930. Her first assignment was in Kosice, Slovakia, where she supervised charity works and managed a religious bookstore. Sára even published a periodical called Catholic Women. With the endorsement of the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of Slovakia, Sára successfully organized all the various Catholic women’s groups into a national Catholic Women’s Association. Additionally, she established the National Girls’ Movement. As the national director of the Catholic Working Girls’ Movement, Sára played a pivotal role in building the first Hungarian college for working women near Lake Balaton. In protest against the rising Nazi ideology, she changed her last name to the more Hungarian-sounding Salkaházi. Continuing her work in Budapest, Sára opened homes for working girls and organized training courses. She even wrote a play about the life of Margaret of Hungary, who was canonized on 19 November 1943. Sadly, Sára’s boundless energy was misunderstood by her fellow sisters, who mistook it for a desire for attention. Consequently, her superiors doubted her vocation and refused to allow her to renew her temporary vows or wear the habit for a year. Despite facing such resistance, Sára remained committed to living the life of a Sister of Social Service without vows.
World War II:
Sára’s opportunity to serve the Hungarian Benedictines abroad temporarily arose as they requested sisters to work in Brazil. Excited about the prospect, she was eager to go there, but unfortunately, the outbreak of World War II hindered her plans. Instead, Sára’s dedication took a new form during this tumultuous time. As a response to the persecution faced by Jews at the hands of the Hungarian Nazi Party, she opened the Working Girls’ Homes to provide a safe haven. These homes served as sanctuaries for persecuted Jews.
Tragically, Sára’s efforts to protect lives were eventually discovered by the pro-Nazi Arrow Cross Party. She was denounced and subsequently executed by the party on 27 December 1944. However, her courageous actions and sacrifice did not go unnoticed. Later, in 2006, Sára Salkaházi was beatified for her heroism and devotion to helping others during one of the darkest periods in history. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the strength and bravery that can arise even in the face of immense danger and adversity.
Awards:
– Beatified in 2006