Nyomja, Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, currently Szederkény, Hungary — March 6, 1904
Death data:
Hamilton, ON, Canada — May 26, 1983
Denomination:
Roman Catholic
Ecclesiastical status:
religious
Diocese / Order:
jezsuita (Societas Jesu)
Ordination level:
priest
Entry into religious life:
Szeged, Kingdom of Hungary, currently Hungary — August 21, 1921
Priestly ordination:
Szeged, Kingdom of Hungary, currently Hungary — June 19, 1932
Place of burial:
a Szent László-templom magyar temetője
Courtland, ON, Canada
Biographical data
Elemér Eisz graduated from Pius High School in Pécs in 1921. His father was a village cantor and schoolteacher who was later awarded the papal decoration Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice. During his formation in the Society of Jesus, he studied in Szeged, on the island of Jersey in England, and in Rome; during his years in Rome, he developed a serious joint disease, and for a time it seemed he might have to leave the Jesuit Order for health reasons. He eventually recovered and was ordained a priest in Szeged on June 19, 1932. He made his solemn profession of the four vows on February 2, 1939.
He became one of the most important organizers of missionary work in Hungary. He led the Jesuit missionary center, was in charge of the Hungarian mission in China, and was the first to introduce the teaching of missiology at the interdiocesan seminary in Szeged. He organized shortwave radio communication between Szeged and the Hungarian mission in China, and he also used photography and film to support missionary outreach and youth presentations. He left behind a significant collection of photographs and films.
During the persecution of Jews, he rescued people together with the Jesuits József Jánosi and Jakab Raile. Later, he became the provincial superior’s secretary, assistant, and deputy, and played a significant role in organizing the evacuation of young Hungarian Jesuits to the West. From late 1947, he served as superior of the Jesuit house in Budapest. It was on his behalf that Masa Feszty painted the image of Our Lady of the Way, which was installed in September 1948 at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Budapest.
He was the first provincial of the scattered Hungarian province to be appointed from abroad. According to the 1951 catalog, his province consisted of 161 members: 75 priests, 68 novices, and 18 lay brothers, including 27 missionaries in China. His primary task was to organize the training, placement, and apostolic work of young members of the order who had fled abroad.
Domestic service locations
From
To
Place i
Current name, country i
Church / institution
Position
1927
1929
Pécs, Kingdom of Hungary
Hungary
boarding school supervisor, English and French teacher
1934
1935
Szeged, Kingdom of Hungary
Hungary
philosophy teacher
1936
1937
Budapest, Kingdom of Hungary
Hungary
philosophy teacher
1938
Budapest, Kingdom of Hungary
Hungary
Manréza
the assistant to the novice master, while singing a third
1939
1949
Budapest, Kingdom of Hungary
Hungary
Director of the mission center, professor of missiology at the Szeged Seminary, editor, coordinator of the Hungarian mission in China, head of the household
Foreign service locations
From
To
Place
Current name, country
Church / institution
Position
1949
1953
State Island, NY, USA
the superior of Section II of the Hungarian Jesuits serving abroad, and the provincial superior.
1950 circa
1955
Hamilton, ON, Canada
Magyarországi Szent István templom
parish priest
1956
1962
Shrub Oak, NY, USA
pastor, confessor, celebrant of Mass, and spiritual director at the motherhouse of the Daughters of Divine Love
1962
1978
State Island, NY, USA
pastor, confessor, celebrant of Mass, and spiritual director at the motherhouse of the Daughters of Divine Love
1979
1981
Courtland, ON, Canada
pastor
1982
1983
Hamilton, ON, Canada
Szent Erzsébet Otthon
on sick leave
Literary activity
Bellarmin Szent Róbert élete. Bp., 1931;
Én vagyok az élet és a fény […] Képes ismertetés a missziókról. (Név nélkül.) Bp., 1939;
A Jézus Társaság és a világmisszió. Bp., 1942; Szabadíts meg a gonosztól. (Kővári Károllyal). Hamilton, ON, 1982.
Katolikus Missziók: felelős szerkesztő, 1939 júliusától 1944 decemberéig;
Taming: felelős szerkesztő, 1939 decemberétől 1943 decemberéig;
A Szív: felelős szerkesztő 1942. január 21. és június 6. között.
Director of the mission center, professor of missiology at the Szeged Seminary, editor, coordinator of the Hungarian mission in China, head of the household
