CHIEF PATRON
Cirill T. Hortobágyi
chief patron
Archabbot of Pannonhalma, Praeses Abbot of the Hungarian Benedictine Congregation.
He is continuously involved in the mission of making the thousand-year-old values of the Archabbey understandable and accessible to the widest possible audience through modern media tools and communication channels.
Awards: Kitaibel Pál Memorial Medal, Hungarian Presidential Award, Honorary Citizen of the Municipality of Maklár.
Greeting Letter – for the 5th Conference of the Pilgrim Academy
Distinguished Organizers, Dear Speakers, Participants, My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
It is a great pleasure to welcome you all on the occasion of the 5th Conference of the Pilgrim Academy. I deeply regret that I cannot attend the conference in person this year; however, it is an even greater honor for me to accompany you as chief patron on this intellectual and spiritual journey, the theme of which this year is: "From Waiting to Moving Forward – Influences of Mutuality between Visitor, Host, and Environment."
This concept resonates deeply with the innermost experiences of our souls. Indeed, our entire life is a kind of pilgrimage: it is shaped by the rhythm of waiting and setting out, arriving and departing again, receiving and passing on.
Meanwhile, in this seemingly profane process, God's call echoes in the depths of our hearts, and our response to this call keeps us in motion—not only in a geographical sense but in an internal, spiritual sense as well.
Waiting is one of the deepest dimensions of faith. We wait for the Lord's presence, His comfort, and His guidance. We wait for the events of our lives to gain meaning. Scripture provides countless examples showing that waiting is not inactivity, but inner preparation: a time when the soul is quietly formed, purified, and made open to receiving grace.At the same time, waiting is never an end in itself. It always prepares us for a departure. When a pilgrim sets out, they do not merely change location, but begin to see themselves in a new light. Moving forward is an act of trust: an affirmation that we believe God goes before us and leads us even when the path is lost in the mist.
The theme of the conference is particularly important in the way it points to the mutuality of encounters. The pilgrim is not merely a visitor, but also a bearer of what they have received along the way: prayer, silence, hope, wounds, and healings. The host community, in turn, is not merely a service provider, but a witness: through its presence, attentiveness, and love, it reveals the merciful face of God. In this mutuality, both parties are enriched. The guest experiences acceptance, brotherhood, and a sense of home. The host can marvel again and again at how Christ Himself enters among us in human encounters: "I was a stranger and you welcomed me," says the Lord. Every genuine welcome is sacramental in nature: it makes invisible grace visible.
We must not forget the environment, which serves as the setting for all of this. The created world is not a mere backdrop but an active participant in our pilgrimage. The silence of the mountains, the prayerful tranquility of the forests, and the centuries-old testimony of church walls all call us to rediscover our place in God's creative love. Those who walk with an attentive heart recognize that nature and built heritage can also become spiritual teachers. Therefore, it is especially important that pilgrimage, spiritual tourism, and hospitality do not appear before us merely as economic or organizational issues, but primarily as a spiritual mission. A mission whose goal is the elevation, healing, and strengthening of the human person in faith and hope.
I trust that during the days of the conference, you will be enriched not only in knowledge, experience, and relationships, but also in inner silence and spiritual clarity. I wish that the presentations, discussions, and personal encounters lead all of us closer to the recognition that the ultimate goal of our pilgrimage is the Living God Himself.
I carry all participants of the conference in my prayers. I ask for the light of the Holy Spirit upon your work, decisions, and plans. May the Lord grant that from waiting, a forward step born of faith always emerges, and that His love is reflected in all our encounters. I sincerely wish you a blessed, fruitful gathering, spiritual renewal, and lasting fruits at the 5th Conference of the Pilgrim Academy
With brotherly love and blessings:
Abbot Cirill
Chief Patron
Pannonhalma, 11 February 2026