The Slovenian people accepted the Christian faith more than 1200 years ago. From the very beginning, our faith has been closely linked to the sincere veneration of the Mother of God; Mary has accompanied our nation through many storms of harsh trials. Trust in her protection and help has continually given strength to the troubled souls, healed wounded hearts, and provided courage for further searches and risks.
The Apostle of the Slovenians, Bishop St. Modest, around the year 760, with the help of Prince Hotimir, built a church on the ruins of the former Roman town of Virunum in Carinthia and dedicated it to Mary – “Our Lady” – firmly believing that she would be the best helper to the young Christian nation. At that time, Mary also became the mother of our faith.
The monasteries of the Benedictine monks, who spread Christianity in our lands, were true centers of Marian devotion. Soon, our people received the first pilgrimage churches dedicated to the Mother of God; among the oldest is certainly the Marian shrine on Bled Island.
The White Monks, who settled in 1136 in Stična and played a significant role for our people in the religious, cultural, and economic spheres, dedicated their church to Our Lady of Sorrows. In the same century, the Marian church in Lesce in Upper Carniola became a very popular pilgrimage site. Around 1360, our ancestors built a church in honor of the Mother of God on Mount Višarje, at the crossroads of the Slavic, Romance, and Germanic worlds. During the harsh trials of the Turkish threat and other misfortunes, new shrines were established: Mount Ptujska, Mount Šmarna, Old Mountain above Cividale, Holy Mountain near Gorizia, and many others.
At the beginning of the last century, a new pilgrimage route began to emerge in Brezje, a modest village in Upper Carniola, where today the most popular and most visited Marian shrine in Slovenia is located.
Brezje are truly set in the extraordinary beauty of Slovenia’s rich land. The view from Brezje over the Upper Carniola plain is obscured to the west by the dark forests of Jelovica, while the eye stops at Triglav and its neighboring peaks beyond Pokljuka, and from Stolo, it races across Begunjščica and the nearby Dobrča towards Storžič in the east and beyond. “You are almost a paradise, Upper Carniola…”
The easiest way to reach Brezje by car is via the Upper Carniola main road to Črnivec – where there is also a bus station – from where it is only a few hundred meters to the Marian shrine. From the Otoče railway station, it takes about a three-quarter hour walk. There is no shortage of pilgrims who come to Brezje on foot, not only from the nearby surroundings but also from far away.
The village is first mentioned in the 11th century. It belonged to the parish of Mošnje, where the parish church of St. Andrew stood before 1154. Brezje itself later got its church dedicated to St. Vitus; it is not possible to say exactly when, but at least by the 15th century. The church was rather small and modestly furnished. Mass was held in Brezje only three times a year, and at those times, many people gathered. In the 17th century, a shed was built in front of the main church entrance, in which a stone pulpit was constructed so that the people could more easily listen to the Word of God and participate in the worship.
About 200 years ago, Brezje began to change its appearance. Around 1772, a chapel dedicated to St. Anthony the Abbot, the protector of livestock, was added to the church. More extensive renovation work was carried out between 1794 and 1798. The church was replastered, the floor was tiled, new pews were installed, the main altar was renovated, and a new painting of St. Vitus, created by the artist Layer from Kranj, was placed in it. At least some of these works were overseen by the parish priest Ažbe.
Dr. Urban Ažbe was the parish priest in Mošnje, which includes Brezje, from 1796 to 1819. He was originally from Javorje in the Poljanska Valley. He studied theology in Innsbruck, where he also earned his doctorate. In the Tyrolean city, he became familiar with and grew fond of the image of Mary Help of Christians – a depiction painted by the German artist Lukas Cranach, which was greatly venerated by the people. Copies of this image were placed in many rural churches. During his time in Tyrol, Ažbe embraced the true Catholic spirit, quite different from the cold Jansenism that prevailed among our clergy at the time. The Jansenists were strict in administering the sacraments, did not tolerate popular devotions, confraternities, or pilgrimages, and they aligned well with the mindset that inspired the major Josephine reforms. The image of Mary from Mount Holy Cross had to be moved to Solkan, and from Mount Višarje to Žabnice.
After returning to his homeland, Ažbe tried to work in a more genuine Christian spirit. In 1800, he added a chapel to the south side of the church; this was confirmed by an inscription on the wall behind the altar, which remained until 1954 when the old chapel was still standing. In this chapel – the locals generously helped with its construction – he placed the image of Mary Help of Christians.
Popular tradition says that Ažbe himself had such an image of Mary. What motivated Ažbe to build the chapel of Mary Help of Christians? It was probably his desire to also venerate the image of Mary, which was so popular in Tyrol. Perhaps he felt this was even more necessary because the French had occupied our lands for the first time in 1797, even if only temporarily. In times of distress, people were said to have turned to Mary Help of Christians. Through the work of the good and attentive priest Ažbe, the pilgrimage site at Brezje quietly and almost unnoticed began to take shape.
The French came to Slovenia three times. The first time was in March 1797. People were afraid of them; many of the wealthier individuals fled, while others at least hid their possessions. However, the French were relatively tolerable at that time and had left after a month. The second time they occupied our lands was in 1805. This time, they “ruled with grandeur and authority, surpassing each other in greed and avarice.
The third occupation lasted from May 1809 to October 1813. The high taxes demanded by Napoleon to maintain his armies weighed heavily on the people, becoming a burdensome strain. Shortages grew worse, and in many places, there were outright uprisings. It is understandable that during the French occupation, people frequently sought the intercession of Mary Help of Christians at Brezje.
In 1811, Parish Priest Ažbe wrote the following in a letter to his friend Frančišek Julianije: “In the harsh times of the French yoke, when the people were reduced to nothing, they chose Mary Help of Christians in the Mošnje parish. Throughout the entire Lenten period, people came to her even from the surrounding parishes, so often and in such large numbers that up to five foreign priests celebrated Mass there. On Palm Tuesday, April 2, four processions arrived, led by their priests. There were so many people that not even half could fit into the church, and all the pews were broken.”
From the very first years after the construction of the Marian chapel, Brezje became a refuge for many in times of great distress.
The hardships of the French occupation were strongly felt by the family of Leopold Layer, a painter from Kranj. The Layers had moved from Tyrol to Kranj at the beginning of the 18th century. Leopold’s father, Marko, had a painting workshop. Due to their modest financial circumstances, Leopold and his siblings could not afford an academic education, so they had to rely on their own talent and hard work. Leopold soon became known as an exceptionally talented and hardworking painter, and he rarely lacked work. However, things changed after 1809 when the French occupied our lands again. Painting commissions stopped, and in great distress, the Layer family began to counterfeit paper money and circulate it among the people. The authorities discovered them in June 1813; Leopold and his brother Valentin were arrested. Valentin soon died in prison, and Leopold was sentenced to five years in prison. In his great distress, Leopold made a vow to paint the chapel of Mary Help of Christians at Brezje if he were released from prison. When the French left in the autumn of 1813, he was quickly freed, and the following year, out of gratitude, he painted the Marian chapel. According to tradition, it is said that in that year, he also painted the current miraculous image of Mary Help of Christians.
In the center of the fresco on the vault, he placed Christ, holding a cross in his right hand and sharp arrows in his left. Before Him stands His Mother, asking: “Christe, eleison” (Christ, have mercy), and above her head is her name in Bohorič’s script: Pomozh kershtenikov (Help of Christians). Around Christ is a crowd of people, all asking for help.
In the medallions, he painted St. Vitus, St. Anthony the Abbot, St. Cosmas and Damian, and the Assumption of Mary. On the inner side of the entrance arch, there was an inscription in Latin: “Painted by Leopold Layer in 1814, according to his vow.” Unfortunately, Layer’s frescoes faded over time and could no longer be restored. During the renovation of the chapel in 1954, they had to be removed.
What happened at Brezje from the departure of the French until 1863, when extraordinary events began to unfold there, is not well known. Some sources suggest that people always visited Mary Help of Christians, but the pilgrimage site became more active when news spread among the people about some extraordinary healings. In that year, three incurably ill individuals were healed. Such events continued to occur, either at greater or shorter intervals. The increasing crowds of pilgrims led the local community to consider establishing a proper parish and officially elevating the church to a pilgrimage site. A report by Mošnje’s parish priest Janez Novak in 1875 states: “At Brezje, there is the miraculous image of Mary Help of Christians, about which every pilgrim must confirm the words of St. Bernard: ‘Never has it been heard that you abandoned anyone who fled to your protection, sought your help, and entrusted themselves to your intercession.'”
This is confirmed by pilgrims from all over Carniola, Styria, Carinthia, the Littoral, Croatia, Trieste, and Istria. There are incredibly many pilgrims every Monday, and even during the week, there are always enough, so it can be said: “Brezje, although it has only a small church up to now, and even though there is no visible divine service there on Sundays and feast days of the Mother of God, is now the most visited pilgrimage site in Slovenia.”
The word about Brezje spread beyond the borders of the Slovenian homeland. In September 1876, the Bishop of Graz, Zwerger, visited the pilgrimage site. At that time, there were so many pilgrims at Brezje that the Church of St. Vitus was far too small for everyone; many had to remain outside. Upon leaving, the bishop suggested the idea of building a new church above the chapel of the Mother of God. This would allow for a sufficiently spacious sanctuary while preserving the simple chapel with the miraculous image intact.
The project was courageously undertaken by the parish priest Franc Kumer, originally from Kranj. He first ensured more regular pastoral care among the pilgrims to Brezje, while constantly thinking about the construction of a new church – as evidenced by his annual reports to the diocese. Eventually, he turned to architect Robert Mikovitz from Graz to create the plans. In a special memorandum in 1889, Kumer described the conditions at Brezje and explained the plans for the new church. On October 2 of the same year, the Bishop of Ljubljana, Dr. Jakob Missia, blessed and laid the foundation stone.
The construction of the church, which took longer than expected, was overseen by architect Franc Faleschini. On Rosary Sunday, October 7, 1900, it was solemnly consecrated by the then Archbishop of Gorizia, Cardinal Missia. Also present were the Bishop of Ljubljana, Dr. A. B. Jeglič, and the Slovenian bishop in St. Claude, USA, Jakob Trobec.
At the same time, the idea developed to build a monastery for the Franciscans next to the church; this way, the Marian shrine would have permanent caretakers, and pilgrims would always have sufficient confessors available. Indeed, the construction of the monastery began in 1897, and the following year, Bishop Jeglič blessed it and entrusted it to the Franciscans, designating them as the caretakers of the pilgrimage church. From that point onward, the church was no longer a subsidiary of the Mošnje parish but was directly subordinated to the diocesan authority in Ljubljana. Later, the Franciscans also took over some spiritual duties in the Mošnje parish, and since 1951, they have been its administrators.
The Neo-Renaissance building gives an impression of grandeur. It is 39 meters long, 19 meters wide, and 17 meters high. The facade features two semi-circular columns made of red marble, with artificially crafted double doors designed by Janez Vurnik. On the right wing, carved from bottom to top, are the images of the prophets who foretold the birth of Mary: Moses, David, and Isaiah. On the left wing, the figures of Mary’s prefigurations are depicted: Sarah, Rachel, and Judith. Above the doorway of the main doors is a marble relief of Mary Help of Christians. On the left side of the relief are the angels Raphael and Gabriel, and on the right is a woman lying on a sickbed, who, with her family, trustfully asks Mary Help of Christians for health.
The area above the main doors is richly decorated with mosaic symbols, ornaments, and inscriptions. Above the relief of Mary Help of Christians shines an oval inscription “Heavenly Gate”, and on either side are two medallions with colorful flowers. Above all this is a wide band with the motto: “Through Mary to Jesus.” On the four stone projections are exclamations from the Litany of Loreto: Virgin Virgin, Faithful Virgin, Mother of God, House of Gold.
The rose window on the facade is divided into eight segments, decorated with white and golden lilies in mosaic. Surrounding it are four ornaments in the shape of lanterns. On both sides of the rose window are beautiful mosaics of Mary’s monogram. Above the rose window stretches a wide golden and blue-red band, and from the niche beneath the tympanum shines a richly crafted cross; on both sides are the monograms of Christ.
Above the southern side doors is an artificial window designed by Professor Vurnik, with the window panes in mosaic. Above the window is the year 1965, indicating that the exterior of the church was renovated to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Eucharistic Congress in Ljubljana. Below is a medallion with the inscription: “Mother of Mercy.” In this window is now a bust of Mary with the Child, created by the academic sculptor Kalin, which once stood in the park by the Otoče railway station, greeting incoming and departing pilgrims. Slightly lower, on the left and right in mosaics, are depicted the Slavic apostles, St. Cyril and Methodius, patrons of the Ljubljana Archdiocese.
In the atrium between the church and the monastery, a chapel in honor of St. Francis of Assisi was built in 1967, designed by Vurnik, to mark the 60th anniversary of the coronation of the image of Mary Help of Christians. The chapel was built in the style of a Slovenian mountain hut.
The altar painting, created by the academic painter Lojze Perko, is in a bronze frame, which was the same frame that held the image of Mary Help of Christians in the Ljubljana Cathedral during World War II. The altar was consecrated on the eve of the jubilee by the Archbishop of Ljubljana, Dr. Jožef Pogačnik. With this addition, Brezje now has another place of worship where the faithful can attend Mass, confess, and receive Communion when, due to large crowds, they cannot enter the church. The atrium is decorated with mosaics: on the right is the Franciscan coat of arms, and on the left is the inscription: “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.” In smaller medallions, there are seven inscriptions from St. Francis’ Canticle of the Sun. All the mosaics were made by the School Sisters of Radovljica, following the designs of Professor Vurnik.
The bell tower, made of cut stone, is 53 meters tall; initially, it housed four bells. Three of the larger bells were taken during World War I and were temporarily replaced with steel bells until the church received bronze bells again in 1932. During the German occupation, the bells of Brezje were once again at risk. This time, they were saved by the organ master Franc Jenko.
The interior of the church gives the impression of a unified Renaissance building. Above the white main altar – the presbytery itself was recently renovated with a new altar facing the people, in line with the renewed liturgy – is a mosaic image of St. Vitus, who remains the patron saint of the church.
The main altar and all three side altars are the work of Slovenian artists; Janez Vurnik built the main altar and the first two side altars. The left altar is dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua, and the right altar to St. Anthony the Abbot. The altar paintings are the work of the painter Ivan Grohar (1867–1911). The Sacred Heart altar was made by Vurnik’s successor, Jože Pavlin from Radovljica; it was installed in 1912, and the altar painting was done by Ivan Vavpotič (1877–1943). The statues of St. Francis and St. Clare on the main altar, St. John and St. Louis on the St. Anthony of Padua altar, St. Isidore and St. Agnes on the St. Anthony the Abbot altar, and St. John Capistrano and St. Paschal on the Sacred Heart altar were all carved by Pavlin.
The church also features notable works such as the Stations of the Cross, the stained glass windows made by renowned Tyrolean glassmakers, the pulpit made by Pavlin, and the organ. The original Mauracher organs had only 14 stops and were placed in a small choir above the doors leading to the sacristy. An intricately carved relief on the old choir railing still recalls this. It depicts the Nativity scene with the manger and a choir of angels singing: “Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth to people of good will.” The new organ, with 32 stops, was made in 1911 by Dernič from Lancovo near Radovljica and was placed on the choir above the main entrance. Our greatest organ master, Franc Jenko, modernized the organ after World War II, changing it from a mechanical to a pneumatic system, and increased the number of stops to 47.
The Chapel of Mary Help of Christians is undoubtedly the center of the Brezje shrine. When the current church was being built, the original chapel was left unchanged in its place. To ensure its protection, another chapel with a dome was built over it. On the wooden altar—whose creator is unknown—stood statues of Mary’s parents, St. Joachim and St. Anne, as well as St. Valentine and St. Roch, alongside the miraculous image of Mary Help of Christians. The ceiling was painted by the master Layer in 1814, as mentioned earlier. Over time, the frescoes faded, and the altar deteriorated, prompting the need for restoration of both the chapel and the altar.
Following the plans of architect Janko Omahno, the chapel was renovated in 1954. The new chapel is the same size as the previous one, still simple and homely in character. The floor of the chapel is made of exceptionally durable polished Bosnian granite. The walls are clad with yellowish Istrian marble. In the corners stand the gilded statues from the previous altar: St. Joachim, St. Anne, St. Valentine, and St. Roch. The ceiling is about a meter higher than the previous one and is gilded.
The altar, as small as the previous one, is made of white Carrara marble on four small columns. Next to it are two slender columns, on which stand lamps in the shape of a monstrance. Transparent letters on the left side form the inscription: “Mary, Consolation of the Sorrowful,” and on the right: “Mary, Health of the Sick.” On the gilded tabernacle, a bunch of grapes with berries made of shimmering rubies hangs from a vine. Above the tabernacle is the miraculous image of Mary Help of Christians, surrounded by a gilded metal frame, adorned with various natural stones gathered from across the Slovenian homeland.
On the Feast of the Immaculate Conception in 1954, the new altar was consecrated by the Archbishop of Ljubljana, Vovk. This is also indicated by the Latin inscription carved into the sturdy altar support: “The beautiful altar was consecrated to the Most Gracious Queen by the Archbishop of Ljubljana, Anton Ribičev.”
The faithful, under Mary’s protection, have been celebrating a variety of solemnities for a long time. They fondly remember this and, during jubilees, give thanks to Mary and honor her. Similarly, they are eager to entrust themselves to her during special gatherings. Let us recall at least a few of these occasions.
In 1957, our people solemnly celebrated the golden jubilee of the coronation of Mary Help of Christians. Pilgrims began arriving on Saturday by train, carts, bicycles, and on foot, with many spending the whole night in prayer before their Mother. Over 20,000 people gathered. The main celebration was led by the local bishop, Anton Vovk, and was attended by Archbishop Franjo Šeper of Zagreb, Bishop Dragutin Čelik of Banja Luka, Bishop Maksimilijan Držečnik of Maribor, and the Greek Catholic Bishop of Križevci, Dr. Gabrijel Bukatko. The event testified to how close our people have always been to Mary, how they love and honor her as their Mother.
In memory of the Eucharistic Congress in Ljubljana in 1935, a solemn celebration was held on Angel Sunday, September 5, 1965, marking the 30th anniversary of this magnificent religious event. One could almost say it was a true little Eucharistic Congress!
What Ljubljana had been 30 years ago, Brezje was this time. The evening Eucharistic procession with candles along a kilometer-long path was an extraordinary experience for all who participated. The procession was followed by adoration of the Lord under the appearance of bread, which ended with Midnight Mass. The main Eucharistic service for the jubilee celebration, on behalf of the absent Archbishop, was held at nine o’clock by the cathedral provost, Dr. Stanislav Lenič.
A unique and significant celebration was the Pearl Jubilee of the coronation of Mary Help of Christians at Brezje on Angel Sunday, September 3, 1967. Over 25,000 pilgrims gathered to honor Mary, including some who had participated as children in the original coronation 60 years earlier (Franciscans Fr. Metod Valjavec and Fr. Bogdan Markelj, Mr. Rok Knafelj, and others). The ceremonies were led in intervals by all three Slovenian ordinaries. The special significance of this celebration was underscored by a historic event: during the central jubilee service, the Archbishop of Ljubljana, Dr. Jožef Pogačnik, for the first time prayed the Eucharistic prayer with the words of consecration in Slovenian, the living national language, just as Saints Cyril and Methodius had done 1100 years ago.
In 1969, special gatherings for the sick began at Brezje. On April 23, Archbishop Dr. Jožef Pogačnik celebrated Holy Mass with the concelebration of seven golden jubilarian priests for the sick of the Kranj deanery, offering encouraging words and giving them his blessing. On August 19, the administration of the Ognjišče magazine organized the first of what would become the traditional pilgrimage for the sick to Brezje. With buses, vans, and private cars, the disabled and sick were brought to the shrine. Pilgrims wore badges to help with their arrangement in the church. Six priests, along with the Bishop of Koper, Dr. Janez Jenko, who led the pilgrimage, approached the altar. The pilgrims received Communion in their wheelchairs, and after Mass, there was a blessing followed by some time for personal prayer. The first gathering included sick people from Šentilj to Koper and from Jesenice to Sevnica.
After the pilgrimage the following year, led by Bishop Dr. Stanislav Lenič, one of the participants wrote:
“We, the disabled, always think that we are abandoned and alone, that no one thinks of us. Now we have realized that there are still people who remember us. We are very grateful to them. This was a very beautiful day for us, as rays of light shone on us from all sides. We will remember all those who prepared this beautiful experience for us with prayer.”
At Brezje, many events have occurred, extraordinary graces, and sudden healings that inspire confidence in the faithful for their prayers. However, it should be noted that the Church has not made any official statements regarding these events; none of the extraordinary cases have received official confirmation from the Church. The Church is very strict in its assessment of events that people consider miracles, as it seeks to exclude anything that could stem from human instability, fanaticism, nervousness, or sick imagination. Despite this, certain cases hold significant human value. Let us mention at least a few!
In 1863, 18-year-old Marija Tavčar, from Begunje in Upper Carniola, was healed. Fear had so debilitated her that she could no longer move. She lay bedridden for a long time and could barely move afterward. Various treatments did not help her. Dr. Tomaž Pirc, the doctor from Tržič, whom she sought for help, told her directly that as a doctor, he could do nothing more. She decided to seek healing from Mary Help of Christians. She was brought to Brezje, where, during the Holy Mass, she fervently prayed to Mary to be able to walk again.
Suddenly, she felt that she could move her paralyzed leg. She stood up and, to the great astonishment of those present, set aside her crutches. On the very same day, September 22, 1863, she returned home healthy. She lived to the age of 85.
Marija Mulej from Smokuč near Radovljica heard about the healing of Marija Tavčar. At the age of 21, she suffered from such severe headaches and rheumatism that, at times, she could not eat, drink, or even speak for an entire week. After seven years of constant pain, the illness progressed to the point where her right arm became twisted at the elbow. Then the disease also curled the fingers of her left hand, leaving her unable to help herself. Trusting that Mary would have mercy on her, she was brought to Brezje on October 5, 1863. There, she prayed to Mary Help of Christians to heal her enough to be able to eat and dress on her own. She attended three Masses. During the elevation of the second Mass, she was struck with such pain that she collapsed in a faint. Gradually, her arm straightened at the wrist and elbow and became flexible. During the final Gospel of the third Mass, after seven years, she was able to make the sign of the cross with her right hand again. Among the many people and several priests who witnessed all of this was 13-year-old A. B. Jeglič, who would later become the Archbishop of Ljubljana.
On the left side of Mary’s chapel, among many other images, hangs a picture of a priest celebrating Holy Mass before Mary’s altar. Beside him lies a sick woman on a bed, surrounded by her weeping family. The inscription on the picture tells the story of an extraordinary healing: “O Mary, may you be venerated and praised forever, for on February 17, 1864, in this chapel, you heard my prayer, when you miraculously healed my very seriously ill sister, the mother of seven small children. Witnesses to this miraculous healing are all the inhabitants of Dvorska vas (Dobrepolje) and everyone who saw this poor sick woman.” – Martin Ambrožič, priest.
Next to the image of Mary, which hangs on the same side of the chapel, the local woman from Brezje, Marija Finžgar, gives thanks for her healing, which occurred during Mass on August 15, 1907. Interestingly, her son Alojzij, with the religious name Brother Jozafat, saved the miraculous image from the occupiers during World War II and brought it to Ljubljana.
Even in more recent times, there has been no shortage of extraordinary graces. This is evidenced by many votive images that thousands have brought as thanks for their fulfilled petitions. There are countless letters in which many express their gratitude for a safe return from wartime captivity, from exile, or for healings. Even more such graces remain unrecorded, existing only in the hearts of grateful believers. The spiritual healing that many receive, especially at Brezje, often remains hidden, but it is all the more valuable because it transcends the limited scope of earthly human life.
