Blessed Iuliu Hossu

Biography

Blessed Iuliu Hossu, also known as Blessed Julius Hossu, was born on 30 January 1885 in Milas, Bistrita-Nasaud, in the archdiocese of Fagaras si Alba Iulia, Romania. He was the son of Ioan Hossu and Victoria Mariutiu.

Hossu's education was extensive and diverse. He studied at the Seminary of Cluj, Romania, and then went on to study at the seminary of Budapest, Hungary. He further pursued his academic endeavors at the University of Vienna, Austria, and the Pontifical Urbanian Athenaeum "De Propaganda Fide" in Rome, Italy. In 1906, Hossu earned a doctorate in philosophy, followed by a doctorate in theology in 1908.

On 27 March 1910, Hossu was ordained as a priest in the Archdiocese of Fagaras si Alba Iulia, with his uncle, Bishop Vasile Hossu, performing the ordination. From 1911 to 1914, he held various positions such as protocolist, archivist, librarian, vicar-general, and secretary to the bishop of Gherla, Romania.

During World War I, from 1914 to 1917, Hossu served as a military chaplain to Romanian soldiers in the Austro-Hungarian Army. His dedication to ministry continued as he was chosen by Pope Benedict XV to become the Bishop of Cluj-Gherla, Romania, on 21 April 1917.

Throughout his life, Hossu held several important administrative roles in the Romanian Catholic community. He served as the Apostolic Administrator of Maramures from 19 July 1930 to 31 January 1931 and held the position of Apostolic Administrator of Oradea Mare from 29 August 1941 until 1947.

During a turbulent period in Romanian history when the state ordered the separation of the Byzantine-Romanian Church from Rome, Bishop Hossu courageously opposed this directive. As a consequence of his defiance, Hossu faced persecution and imprisonment from 1948 to 1964. He was confined in various prisons in Romanian cities, including Jilava, Drogoslavele, Sighet, and Gherla. In 1964, he was transferred to the monastery of Caldrusani in Moara Saraca near Bucharest, where he remained until his declining health forced him to be moved to a hospital in 1970.

Although it remained a secret during his lifetime, Pope Paul VI elevated Hossu to the rank of cardinal on 28 April 1969. This designation was intentionally concealed to protect him from additional abuse. Only after Hossu's death was his cardinal status revealed.

Blessed Iuliu Hossu met his martyrdom on 28 May 1970, passing away at 9 a.m. at Coletina Hospital in Bucharest, Romania. He was initially interred in the Bellu Catholic Cemetery in Bucharest. However, on 7 December 1982, his remains were re-interred in his permanent tomb within the same cemetery.

His dedication and sacrifice in defending the unity of the Romanian Catholic Church were recognized by Pope Francis on 19 March 2019 when he was venerated through a decree of martyrdom. Following this, Pope Francis beatified Hossu on 2 June 2019, and the beatification ceremony took place at the Câmpia LibertƒÉ»õii in Blaj, Romania.

Blessed Iuliu Hossu's life and commitment serve as an inspiration, especially in his principled defense of the Church during challenging times. He is remembered and celebrated on 28 May, and also on 2 June as one of the Blessed Romanian Greek-Catholic Bishops.