Slovenes have always loved Mary, our Mother in faith. This is true throughout Europe, as the most churches in Europe are dedicated to her.
In 2003, the Bishop of Lourdes, Msgr. Jacques Perrier, invited the rectors of 15 European Marian shrines to collaborate with one another. He focused primarily on national shrines, and two years later, when Pope John Paul II introduced the luminous mysteries of the Rosary, he added five more shrines to the network. Today, following the model of the twenty mysteries of the Rosary, 20 shrines are connected in the Network of European Marian Shrines.
Every year, representatives of the shrines gather for study days, where they reflect on the pastoral care of pilgrims and visitors to Marian shrines. They exchange good practices and also highlight the challenges and pitfalls they face. It is evident that the number of visitors to pilgrimage sites is steadily increasing, and with this growth, the importance of these centers of spirituality is also rising. The themes of our lectures and discussions primarily focus on issues surrounding the sacrament of reconciliation, the new evangelization, and the spirit of service.
If you visit Lourdes, you will see images of all twenty Marian shrines displayed in the underground Pius Basilica. At the castle, you can view an exhibition showcasing the brief history of each pilgrimage site.
In the Network of European Marian Shrines, we are connected:
At the following meetings, representatives of Brezje also actively participated:
2003 Lurd
2004 Fatima
2005 Mariapoč
2006 Knock
2007 Vilna
2008 Zaragoza
2009 Częstochowa
2010 Gibraltar
2011 Walsingham
The Slovenian National Marian Shrine is the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians at Brezje. This shrine is also the diocesan shrine of the Archdiocese of Ljubljana.
The Archdiocese of Maribor specially honors Mary at the Shrine of Our Lady at Ptujska Gora. This is also the diocesan shrine of this archdiocese.
The Diocese of Novo Mesto chose the Shrine of Zaplaz as its patron upon its establishment.
The old shrine on Holy Mountain above Gorizia is the diocesan shrine of the Diocese of Koper.
The Diocese of Celje honors the Mother of God at the Shrine of Petrovče.
Slovenians greatly honor Mary. We also enjoy making pilgrimages to many other, smaller shrines.
