Thousands honor St. Wenceslas at national pilgrimage near Prague

Thousands of people gathered in Stará Boleslav near Prague on Monday for the National St. Wenceslas Pilgrimage, commemorating the patron saint of the Czech Lands on Czech Statehood Day.

Prague Archbishop Stanislav Přibyl led the traditional open-air Mass on Mariánské náměstí, using his homily to call for reconciliation, forgiveness and greater unity in Czech society.

Přibyl described the murder of St. Wenceslas by his brother as a warning about the danger of allowing political and social disagreements to turn into hatred.

“Above all, a resilient society needs mutual trust,” he said. “It needs people capable of talking to one another even when they disagree.”

Addressing political and public officials attending the Mass, Přibyl said authority was granted only temporarily and should be understood as a responsibility rather than a possession.

He also argued that Christian values remain relevant beyond regular churchgoers.

“One does not have to stand in church every Sunday to understand that mercy is greater than vengeance, that the weak do not lose their dignity, that power is meant to be a service and that forgiveness can break the chain of hatred,” Přibyl said.

At the same time, he warned practicing Christians that preserving tradition alone was insufficient, saying the Church should not become a museum and faith must remain alive.

This was Přibyl’s first St. Wenceslas pilgrimage as archbishop of Prague. Before the Mass, he joined pilgrims who had walked from Prague’s Kyje district and accompanied them for part of their journey.

A new silver reliquary containing a relic of St. Wenceslas was presented during the service for the first time. The head-shaped vessel replaced an older reliquary traditionally displayed during the annual pilgrimage.

The Mass was also celebrated by Apostolic Nuncio Eugene Martin Nugent and several Czech bishops.

Guests included former President Václav Klaus, Senate President Miloš Vystrčil, Foreign Minister Petr Macinka and Central Bohemian Governor Petra Pecková. President Petr Pavel did not attend but sent a message that was read during the ceremony.

Stará Boleslav is Czechia’s oldest pilgrimage site connected with the St. Wenceslas tradition. The Roman Catholic Church revived the national pilgrimage there in 2003.

St. Wenceslas was murdered on Sept. 28, traditionally dated to 935, although some historians place his death in 929. He was later proclaimed the eternal ruler of the Czech Lands and became a central symbol of Czech statehood.

Sept. 28 has been observed as the Czech Statehood Day national holiday since 2000.