previously: pálos (Ordo Fratrum Sancti Pauli Primi Eremitae)
Ordination level:
priest
Entry into religious life:
1942
Priestly ordination:
1947
Place of burial:
központi temető
Pécs, Hungary
Biographical data
He joined the Pauline Order in 1942. He completed his college studies in Pécs. He was ordained a priest in 1947. Scout leader. In order to be able to leave for the West—at the suggestion of a well-wisher—he volunteered for the Peace Priests’ mission to Moscow. As a result, he later received a passport valid for Yugoslavia. From there, he was helped across the Italian border on foot. In the U.S., he had hoped to found a monastery based on Pauline traditions, but the Superior General forbade this; he then requested his dismissal from the Pauline Order and his transfer to the Diocese of Pittsburgh, PA.
After the fall of communism, his heart drew him back home, and he first served at the Paulines’ Rock Church in Buda, then, upon returning to Pécs, at the Pécskertváros parish, and later at the Pauline Church.
However, he could not legally return to the Pauline Order, as once a member has left, they cannot be readmitted. Therefore, he joined the community as a confrere (honorary member).
Due to his deteriorating health, he was forced to leave Pécs and found a place and care in Páty, at the Maltese Home, and later in Buda, at the Edit Farkas Social Home; yet despite his failing health, he continued to perform his pastoral duties at both locations.
Domestic service locations
From
To
Place
Country
Church / institution
Position
1947
1950
Pécs
Hungary
Pálos templom
pastor, scout leader
1951
1952
Vác
Hungary
Váci Börtön
in prison
1951
1952
Budapest
Hungary
in prison
1952
1956
Komló
Hungary
warehouse worker at a mine
1956
—
Pécs
Hungary
Pius templom
assistant pastor
1957
1961
Pécs
Hungary
Ágoston tér
sacristan
1961
1963
Márianosztra
Hungary
in prison
1963
1972
Budapest
Hungary
hospital aide, then sacristan in Máriaremete
1993
2001
Pécs
Hungary
pastoral work, and then in retirement.
1993
2001
Páty
Hungary
pastoral work
1993
2001
Pécs
Hungary
pastoral work
1993
2001
Budapest
Hungary
Farkas Edith Szeretetotthon
Foreign service locations
From
To
Place
Country
Church / institution
Position
1973
1993
Pittsburgh, PA
USA
parish priest
Literary activity
Rabláncon Krisztusért. – Youngstown: Katolikus Magyarok Vasárnapja, 1992.
Bolváry Pál (OSPPE): personal record. In: Historical directory of Hungarian, Hungarian-descended, and Hungarian-speaking clergy serving abroad. Available at: https://www.diaszporalelkipasztorok.hu/persons_v2/view.php?id=100 (accessed: 2026-04-05).