The programme of this pilgrimage includes masses, concerts, lectures, theatre performances, a tour of the Basilica of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows, and more. On Sunday, there is a debate with Auxiliary Bishop of Bratislava Jozef Haľko who will also celebrate the concluding holy mass at 10:30. The number of participants of the pilgrimage is limited to 336, and they should all register in advance.
Šaštín with its Basilica is the destination of many various organised pilgrimages, many of which are specialised: apart from those in love, also believers disappointed in love have their pilgrimage – which, however, takes place in autumn. Also expectant mothers, bikers, as well as firemen and several other professions have their specialised pilgrimages.
Thousands of people make a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Seven Sorrows who is the patron-saint of Slovakia. Last year, there were 473 official pilgrimages here, more than 1,100 masses served (out of that 292 were pilgrimage masses). A total of 134,355 registered pilgrims came to hail the patron-saint, the Conference of Bishops of Slovakia (KBS) informed the SITA newswire. But the real number is probably even higher, as these numbers include only registered pilgrimages and groups of pilgrims.
