Fr David Strong SJ, The Australian dictionary of Jesuit biography 1848-2015, Second Edition, 2017:
Békési, István (Steven)

Philosopher, pastor; born Mezöhegyes, Hungary, 15 August 1912; died Toronto, Canada, 30 September 2001, aged 89.

Steven Békési was one of four sons to a father, Andrew, who was a farm labourer. He completed six years of primary school in his native town, and then continued at junior high school in the nearby town of Mezöberény. As a junior seminarian, he enrolled in the grammar school of the Piarist Order in 1927 in the rural centre of Szeged, where he completed his matriculation with distinction in 1931. He began theology studies in the University of Szeged the same year. In 1936 the family changed its original surname of Begainka to the more Hungarian sounding Békési. He was ordained priest by the bishop of Csanád, Dr Julius Glattfelder, 22 March 1936.

Békési began his priestly duties as chaplain in the village of Deszk, but on 6 September 1937 he joined the Jesuits at Manreza, Budapest. Two years of philosophical studies followed in Budapest and Kassa. Between 1940 and 1942, he studied at the Gregorian University, Rome, and obtained his licentiate. He returned to Szeged and taught theology in the seminary, 1943-47. During this time he led the Congregation of Mary of the university students and participated in the work of KALOT and KALÁSZ (Church urban and rural youth organisation). After one of his sermons in the Jesuit church in Szeged the police arrested him. He was soon released, and went briefly to Budapest, and then did some missionary work in the occupied northeast region of Szatmár. He left Hungary, 31 July 1947, for his tertianship in Boston, USA, and did supplies in the local Hungarian parishes.

Upon the invitation of the cardinal of Toronto, Békési went to that city, November 1948. He became parish priest in the church of St Elizabeth, 1948-53, and also taught dogmatics at the Jesuit School of Theology in Toronto. During 1953-58 he visited countless towns in Canada and the USA, making contact with Hungarian refugees, both recent immigrants and those well settled from the 19th century.

In 1959 Békési was sent to Australia, and, until 1962 worked in Sydney and Perth. He was then invited to teach ontology in the diocesan seminary at Werribee, Victoria, 1962-1970. He was also prefect of discipline and liturgy. He was always busy, enjoying much work. He later taught Greek and became the college bursar. He was also a popular spiritual director, friendly and caring of his students, and a good Jesuit companion. As a teacher he was painstaking and competent. In addition, he still found time for pastoral work among Hungarians in Adelaide, Brisbane, Geelong and Sydney. When the administration of the college passed into the hands of the diocesan clergy and the system of studies was revised, it was time for Békési to move on.

Between 1970 and 1974, together with Father Bóday, Békési went to Bácska and Bánát (formerly southern Hungary and northern Yugoslavia). After being ordered out, Békési went, first, to Yonkers, USA, giving missions, and then to Bavaria (Schrobenhausen), where he was pastor to the high school of Mary Ward's nuns, and also helped out with the Hungarian priests in Austria, Switzerland and Germany. He developed his literary talent by publishing in the periodical 'Service', which was originally founded by Father Hunya in Szeged under the title of 'Priestly Spirituality'.

His final appointment was back to Toronto, 25 March 1977, where he was chaplain at the parish of St Elizabeth. His awe-inspiring memory and literary knowledge captivated his parishioners. Even though his health started to fail him, his eyesight weakened and his worn knees made walking difficult, he was still able to return to Hungary to say Mass on the occasion of his golden jubilee, and to organise retreats in Szeged, Pannonhalma and Leányfalu.

Békési was a very dynamic person, with great enthusiasm for pastoral activities. He had a warm personality that drew confreres to him for confession and for spiritual advice. In the last stage of his life he could not say Mass standing at the altar; so he celebrated Mass sitting in a chair, reciting the words by heart. However, his voice remained strong and his memory never failed. He died peacefully in Toronto after saying Mass in his room.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)