You are invited to a pilgrimage to the shrine of Mary!

Religious services marking the feast day of the Assumption of Mary will take place nationwide in Slovenia this weekend, with special emphasis on the Vigil Masses held on August 14 and the main celebrations on August 15. The events, organized by dioceses across the country, include solemn masses, processions, and other traditional rituals, drawing large crowds of pilgrims and worshippers. This year’s observance includes several notable ceremonies led by bishops, new priests, and local clergy. The Vigil Masses began on Friday, August 14, with multiple locations hosting evening services. In Ljubljana's Diocese, the Vigil Mass was held at 7 p.m. at the square before the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Brezje, led by newly ordained priest Father Janez Gorenc. Following the mass, a procession featuring a statue of mercy took place through the village. At Kredarica, the Vigil Mass was celebrated at 7 p.m. in the Chapel of the Mother of God, followed by a procession with candles and the singing of litanies dedicated to the Virgin Mary. In Nova Štifta on the Dolenjska region, the Vigil Mass was scheduled for 8 p.m., led by newly ordained priest Gregor Anton Capuder, with a procession involving candles and litanies, culminating in a night-long adoration of the Most Holy Sacrament. In the Maribor Diocese, the Vigil Mass was conducted at 8 p.m. at Prihova by retired Archbishop Marjan Turnšek, followed by a procession carrying a statue of the Virgin and candles. In Malečnik, the Vigil Mass was led by Bishop Ivan Jurkovič, the Apostolic Nuncio to Canada, at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary of the Virgin on Mount Gorca. At Ptujska Gora, Archbishop Alojzij Cvikl presided over the Vigil Mass at 8 p.m. in the Basilica of the Virgin of the Covenant, followed by a candlelit procession accompanied by litanies. In the Novo Mesto Diocese, the Vigil Mass was held at 8 p.m. in the parish church of Saint Michael in Čatež, followed by a procession with candles, torches, and a statue of the Virgin at Zaplaz. A second mass was planned there at approximately 8:45 p.m. near the pilgrimage church of the Assumption of Mary, led by Father Branko Cestnik, pastor of Frankolovo, with participants from the area. In the Koper Diocese, the Vigil Mass took place at 7:30 p.m. in the parish church of the Mother of God (Our Lady’s Appearance) in Strunjan, led by Bishop Peter Štumpf. After the mass, a procession was held to the Strunjan cross for blessings related to fishermen, seafarers, and the sea, followed by a night watch. At Sveti Gora near Gorica, the Vigil Mass was led by Archbishop Stanislav Zore at 7 p.m. in the Basilica of Queen of Mount Sveti Gora, followed by litanies and a procession with a statue of mercy and candles. In the Murska Sobota Diocese, the Vigil Mass was held at 8 p.m. at the “great mass” in the parish church of the Assumption of Mary in Grad (Prekmurje), led by Bishop Janez Kozinc. A procession with candles and litanies followed the mass. Earlier in the day, at 5 p.m., a blessing ceremony was held for parents, pregnant women, and children, while a time for confession was offered at 7 p.m. On Saturday, August 15, the main Assumption Masses were held throughout the country. In Brezje, the main mass was celebrated at 10 a.m. on the square before the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, led by Archbishop Stanislav Zore. Additional masses were scheduled at 7 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 4 p.m., and 7 p.m. In Šmartno pri Litiji and its sub-parish Javorje, the main mass was held at 9 a.m. to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the consecration of the church, led by Auxiliary Bishop Franc Šuštar. In Kurešček, two masses were planned, one at 10 a.m. and another at 4 p.m., both including a pre-mass prayer session and focusing on the renewal of the consecration of the Slovenian nation to Mary. At Kredarica, the main mass was held at 11 a.m. in the Chapel of the Mother of God, with an additional mass at 8 a.m. In Nova Štifta, the schedule included a mass at 4 p.m., though further details were not specified in the available information. Across the country, these events reflect deep religious traditions and communal participation, with each location offering unique aspects of devotion and celebration. The involvement of both established clergy and newly ordained priests underscores the continuity of faith practices within the Catholic Church in Slovenia.