Saint Rose of Lima in Alsórajk

It was August 2025, on a Saturday morning. Together with members of the Peruvian Embassy, we set out on a journey outside Budapest. The sun shone brightly, while the steady flow of traffic revealed that many people were taking advantage of the weekend to escape the capital. We, too, were heading toward a special destination in Zala County.

Our destination was the celebration of Saint Rose of Lima, the patron saint of Peru, in the small village of Alsórajk, 216 kilometers from Budapest. As the landscape unfolded before us, my thoughts returned to the events that had first brought us there – to a church dedicated to a Peruvian saint in a quiet corner of Hungary.
When I arrived in Hungary in 2023, I quickly came to appreciate the deep Christian faith shared by Hungarians and Peruvians alike. As ambassador, one of my responsibilities is to promote Peru and to identify opportunities for bringing our peoples closer together. Discovering what unites us has always been among the most rewarding aspects of diplomatic service. It was in this spirit that, I was delighted to learn that Alsórajk was home to the only church in Hungary dedicated to a Peruvian saint.
It simply had to be visited.

Devotion dating back over 130 years
Our first visit took place in April 2024. As we approached the village, the coat of arms of Alsórajk, displayed beside the road, announced our arrival. To our pleasant surprise, we noticed that the image of Saint Rose was also featured on the village’s coat of arms. It was a clear sign of the importance this devotion holds within the local community.
There we met Father Péter Rudi, the parish priest, who welcomed us with extraordinary warmth and hospitality. He explained that devotion to Saint Rose and the presence of this church in Hungary date back more than 130 years. That first encounter marked the beginning of a wonderful friendship.
The church itself is modest yet beautiful. Its white walls, soft natural light, and simple interior create an atmosphere of serenity and contemplation. At its heart stands the image of Saint Rose of Lima, set against a central wall clad in pale, irregular stone, surrounded by delicate floral details that reflect both humility and enduring faith.
The chapel was founded in 1891 by the nobleman István Koller and his wife, Rózsa Hertelendy. Some fortunate connection with Peru may have introduced them to the Peruvian saint, inspiring in them a profound devotion. For this reason, and perhaps also because of the coincidence of names, they chose Saint Rose as the patroness of the church. Since then, generations of Alsórajk residents have preserved this unique spiritual bond with Peru.

Feast of the saint
We were invited to return in August 2024 for the feast of the saint. Accompanied by my wife and members of the Embassy, we were deeply moved to see the small church filled with many local residents, including the mayor, Judit Németh Pallankiné. The mass, concelebrated by Father Rudi and Father Gergő Cséry, was profoundly moving. We felt that, despite not sharing a common language, Peruvians and Hungarians understood one another perfectly through faith, mutual affection, and the values we hold in common.
After the ceremony, we were invited to a magnificent community lunch. We learned with great emotion that several women from the village had begun preparing it very early that morning. We enjoyed an abundant display of local cuisine, served with a generosity that touched us deeply. Thanks to the assistance of our translator, we were able to converse with the villagers and get to know one another better. That afternoon confirmed something we had already sensed: Alsórajk may be small in size, but it is immense in heart.

Arrival of the statue of Saint Rose
When we returned in August 2025, we brought with us a statue of Saint Rose of Lima, specially commissioned in Peru. Placed on the altar during the celebration, it became a visible symbol of the growing friendship between Peru and Alsórajk. We were honored that local and regional authorities joined parishioners and clergy from neighboring communities in a ceremony that further strengthened the bonds between us. The ceremony was presided over by Father Tamás Tóth, parish priest of the town of Pacsa, together with Father Péter Rudi and Father Nikli Zsolt, parish priest of Újudvar.
Following the Mass, in what was beginning to feel like a cherished tradition, we were once again invited to a generous and splendid lunch prepared, as in the previous year, by several women of the village. Even mayor Pallankiné contributed some of the specialties herself. The day was rich in symbolism and further strengthened the bonds of friendship and respect we felt for all those gathered there.
Looking back on these years of encounters, countless gestures of friendship from Father Rudi and the villagers come to mind. It would be impossible to recount them all. It is precisely these small, sincere, and constant acts of kindness that build the most enduring bonds between individuals and between nations.

Hearts full of gratitude
Before departing, we visited the village’s cultural center, where an exhibition honors Zsigmond Kisfaludi Stróbl, the renowned sculptor born in Alsórajk and creator of Budapest’s iconic Liberty Statue that crowns Gellért Hill in Budapest. The pride with which the village preserves its heritage mirrors the care it extends to its guests.
We returned home bearing gifts of local production: honey, pálinka and beautiful paintings created by village residents. Yet above all, we returned with hearts full of gratitude. We also carried home an extra portion of the delicious noodles prepared by the mayor herself, who kindly packed them for us. Back at home, we enjoyed them once again, fondly recalling that memorable day.
The story of Saint Rose of Lima in Alsórajk reminds us that while geography may separate nations, faith, friendship and goodwill can bring them remarkably close. As a Peruvian and as an ambassador, I remain deeply grateful to Father Péter Rudi and to the people of Alsórajk for opening their doors and allowing us to discover, in the heart of Hungary, a cherished little piece of Peru.