{"id":2385,"date":"2024-11-07T10:13:53","date_gmt":"2024-11-07T09:13:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/marija.si\/mary-help-of-christians\/surroundings-of-the-basilica-of-mary-help\/"},"modified":"2025-01-20T11:26:37","modified_gmt":"2025-01-20T10:26:37","slug":"surroundings-of-the-basilica-of-mary-help","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/marija.si\/en\/mary-help-of-christians\/surroundings-of-the-basilica-of-mary-help\/","title":{"rendered":"Surroundings of the Basilica of Mary Help"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\n\n\t\t\t
\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Okolica\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

The square in front of the Basilica extends into the Peace Park<\/strong>, featuring a statue of the Holy Family and a cross, with a view stretching towards the Julian Alps and the towering Triglav. The park hosts occasional exhibitions and always invites visitors to rest and deepen their spirituality amidst the beauty of creation. <\/p>\n

Behind the church is the Nativity Museum<\/strong>, which is open every day except Monday. The museum is the result of the efforts of individuals who gather in the Nativity Scene Association, continuing the rich Slovenian tradition. “God is coming to us” is the message of Advent and Christmas, which is beautifully and vividly present throughout the year. <\/p>\n

You are invited to view the many depictions of the Nativity and to enjoy the beauty of the nativity scenes. There are also some votives<\/strong> on display \u2013 the votive paintings represent a small part of the spiritual and cultural wealth that generations of pilgrims have offered and recorded at Mary Help of Christians in Brezje. <\/p>\n

The Franciscans have been the guardians of the shrine at Brezje since 1898, when Archbishop Anton Bonaventura Jegli\u010d entrusted the monastery to the Friars Minor, ensuring that Brezje would always have enough confessors.<\/p>\n

In the monastery gallery, the Stations of the Cross<\/strong> by the academic painter Nikolaj Ma\u0161ukov are on display. Viewing these paintings can be a prayer for all those in any kind of distress and who need our help. For all who seek refuge with us, for all who are grateful, and also for those who do not know how to show their gratitude. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Around the Basilica<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

About the Monastery: Then and Now<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

To ensure that the Marian shrine would have caretakers and that there would always be enough confessors for the numerous pilgrims, a Franciscan monastery was built next to the church at the end of the 19th century. <\/p>\n

In September 1897, the foundations for the monastery at Brezje were laid, right next to the church. In July of the following year, the first two Franciscan brothers were assigned to serve at the monastery. <\/p>\n

The monastery was blessed by Bishop Jegli\u010d in 1898, and he entrusted it to the Franciscans. Since then, they have been the caretakers and guardians of the shrine. <\/p>\n

A more detailed historical overview of the events can be found in the book by Fr. Henrik Dami\u0161 OFM, Brezje Marija Pomagaj, which was published in 1914. <\/p>\n

The guardians of the shrine of Mary Help of Christians at Brezje are the Franciscans. The current members of the monastic community are:
Fr. Krizostom Janez Komar, Guardian
Dr. Fr. Robert Bah\u010di\u010d, Vicar and Rector of the Basilica
Fr. Tadej Ingli\u010d, Confessor and Organist
Dr. Fr. Viktor Pape\u017e, Confessor
Fr. Milan Kadunc, Parish Priest in Mo\u0161nje. <\/p>\n

We live according to the guidance of St. Francis of Assisi, who is our religious founder. The work we do as guardians of the shrine of Mary Help of Christians is in beautiful harmony with the charism of this saint. Therefore, we are joyful servants of the Word of God, the Eucharist, and the sacrament of confession. <\/p>\n

We rejoice in every pilgrim and wish to serve God’s calling, which invites pilgrims on the path of faith.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

“At the beginning, the pilgrimage site at Brezje was served by the parish clergy of Mo\u0161nje. However, this soon proved insufficient; the need for a permanent priest at the pilgrimage church became more and more apparent. Because there was a shortage of secular priests, His Excellency Archbishop Dr. Jakob Missia expressed the desire for the management of the pilgrimage church to be entrusted to the Order of Friars Minor from the Carniola region. The offer was accepted. <\/p>\n

But every beginning is difficult. Above all, it was necessary to secure the funds for building the monastery. Suitable land for the monastic purposes had to be acquired. Provisions had to be made for the upkeep of the friars, as required by secular, monastic, and ecclesiastical law. <\/p>\n

Since the arrival of the Franciscans was beneficial to the Mo\u0161nje parish, the parish priest at the time, Fr. Kumer, wrote to the archdiocese on February 27, 1893 (No. 33), that “the Franciscan settlement is desired.” Similarly, the Mo\u0161nje municipal council, during its meeting on July 26, 1893 (No. 708), decided by a large majority, under the influence of the parish priest, that a monastery should be built at Brezje. Fr. Kumer\u2019s successor, Ivan Berli\u010d, also expressed his support for this idea on March 12, 1897 (No. 30). On August 1, 1893 (No. 2500), the government granted permission for the settlement of the Franciscans. According to this decree, the community was to consist of five priests and four brothers; however, it was specified that they should not expect any public funds or general charity.
When the settlement gratefully accepted the reward advised by the priest Berli\u010d, which was to be paid by the Church of St. Vitus \u2014 600 crowns for the superior, 400 crowns for each of two priests and a lay brother, and 4 crowns per Mass intention \u2014 and later an additional 400 crowns for one brother, the legal matter was essentially resolved. <\/p>\n

The land was purchased by the Franciscan province itself. According to the purchase agreement made by Ivan A\u017eman and Ivan Berli\u010d, with the authorization of Fr. Placidus Fabiani, the provincial (Sl. 38.), on November 16, 1893, Ivan A\u017eman sold to the Franciscan Order in Ljubljana a plot of land from his estate in the Brezje municipality, described as follows: building plot No. 39, house No. 55 (380 fathoms or 12 a 29 m\u00b2), fruit gardens No. 40\/1, 40\/2 (together 305 fathoms), garden No. 41 (13 fathoms or 47 m\u00b2), and a field No. 7 (917 fathoms) for a purchase price of 6140 gold florins. The buyer was to take possession of the property and begin using the land on October 1, 1894. <\/p>\n

When the local commission on October 9, 1896, decided that the monastery should be built on church plot No. 5, the church kept plot No. 5\/1 for itself, while plot No. 5\/2 was transferred to the Franciscan Order. This small parcel was formally received by Fr. Konstantin Luser, the then provincial, with a purchase agreement dated May 1, 1899, for 5 gold florins. The church was represented by Berlic and two custodians. In addition, several other property changes occurred. The road, plot No. 1006, which previously ran behind the church, was relocated to plot No. 39. A connection was created between plots 1009 and 1008\/2, forming plot 7\/2. The widow Gabrijel\u010di\u010d, from her estate, plot No. 77, 14 a 07 m\u00b2, transferred it to the Franciscan Order in exchange for the house No. 55 and the land of plot No. 39, with an area of 9 a 99 m\u00b2. <\/p>\n

Now it was time to begin the construction of the monastery. But there was no money. The offerings of the pilgrims had been entirely used for the new church. The Franciscan Order itself was not in a position to manage such a project. Where, then, could funds be found? At this point, God revived a generous benefactor. <\/p>\n

In Ljubljana, at “Ob Zvezdi,” Kongresni trg No. 5, lived a wealthy and devout young woman, Fran\u010di\u0161ka Ovijazn (Ovija\u010d). She was deeply committed to Brezje and strongly desired that the Franciscan friars care for the pilgrimage site there. She became ill and, in this illness, passed away on January 11, 1893. In her will, dated November 28, 1892, she named the Archdiocese of Ljubljana as the main heir. She instructed that the income from her house be used for the Franciscan monastery at Brezje until the building was completed and its debts paid. With this provision, the project was made possible. On September 5, 1897, the foundation stone for the new Franciscan monastery was laid. <\/p>\n

The foundation stone was blessed with abundant assistance by the merciful provost of Ljubljana, Dr. Leonard Klofutar. Fr. Jo\u017eef Bizovi\u010dar gave a speech in which he explained to the gathered crowd the purpose of the future monastery. The central thought for his speech was drawn from the festive antiphon of the praises of St. Francis: “Non sibi soli vivere, sed aliis proficere vult, Dei zelo ductue!” (Not to live for oneself, but to benefit others, driven by the zeal of God.) <\/p>\n

The single-story building progressed quickly and was completed within a year. The monastery is located on the northern side of the church. It is constructed in such a way that its three sections (wings) form a quadrangle with the church, creating a courtyard in the center. The construction was overseen by Fr. Faleschini. <\/p>\n

Before the new workers could take residence in the Lord’s vineyard, it was necessary to take legal action once again. In response to the written petition to the bishop, requesting that the Franciscans would spiritually care for the pilgrims and also manage all church income, Fr. Provincial Placid asked the apostolic see for canonical establishment. This request was granted on July 18. <\/p>\n

On the ninth day of October, the “Minor Brothers” proclaimed: Haec est dies quam fecit Dominus: exultemus et laetemur in ea (Psalm 117:24) \u2013 This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. This day, in 1898, Archbishop Dr. Anton Bonaventura Jegli\u010d of Ljubljana blessed the monastery house, introduced the sons of St. Francis, and entrusted them with the care of the pilgrimage church. The church ceased to be a subsidiary of the Mo\u0161nje parish, as it became directly subordinated to the bishop’s authority. <\/p>\n

On this occasion, there was a large gathering of devout people at Brezje, as well as many distinguished gentlemen from both the spiritual and secular estates. Archbishop was accompanied by Fr. Konstantin Luser, Dean J. Novak, J. Razbor\u0161ek, and from the secular world, the district governor of Radovljica, Count Kaltenegger.
(Father Henrik Dami\u0161 OFM, Brezje Marija Pomagaj, 1914)<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

History of the Monastery<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Peace Park<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Okolica\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

The Beauty of God's Creation and Human Art<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

The square in front of the Basilica extends into the Peace Park, featuring a statue of the Holy Family and a cross. The view stretches forward to the Julian Alps with the towering Triglav, and to the right, it offers a stunning view of the Karavanke mountain range.<\/p>\n

The park hosts occasional exhibitions, and the place always invites visitors to rest and engage in spiritual reflection amidst the beauty of creation.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Stations of the Cross<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Okolica\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

In the monastery gallery, the Stations of the Cross by the Russian academic painter Nikolai Ma\u0161ukov<\/strong> are on display. During his journey from his homeland, he personally experienced many of the stations of suffering.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Explore also<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tThe Basilica of Mary Help\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tThe Miraculous Image of Mary Help\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tImages of Mary Help of Christians Around the World\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tMiracles of Mary Help\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tThe History of the Pilgrimage Route\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tOther Shrines of Mary\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The square in front of the Basilica extends into the Peace Park, featuring a statue of the Holy Family and a cross, with a view stretching towards the Julian Alps and the towering Triglav. The park hosts occasional exhibitions and always invites visitors to rest and deepen their spirituality amidst the beauty of creation. Behind […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":2371,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"gallery":"","dateEnd":"","displayOrder":0,"videosArray":[],"audiosArray":[],"othersArray":[],"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2385","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/marija.si\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2385","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/marija.si\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/marija.si\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marija.si\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marija.si\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2385"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/marija.si\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2385\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3690,"href":"https:\/\/marija.si\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2385\/revisions\/3690"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marija.si\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2371"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/marija.si\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2385"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}