The National Saint Wenceslas Pilgrimage is held in Stará Boleslav near Prague to commemorate Saint Wenceslas, patron of the Czech land.*
The 2026 pilgrimage
On 28 September 2026, thousands of people came to Stará Boleslav. The pilgrimage Mass in Mariánské náměstí was celebrated by the Archbishop of Prague and Primate of Bohemia Stanislav Přibyl, for whom it was the first Saint Wenceslas pilgrimage in office [1]. In his homily he called for reconciliation, forgiveness and concord in society and recalled the violent death of Saint Wenceslas [1]. Before the Mass he joined the pilgrims on foot who set out early in the morning from Prague's Kyje, walking part of the way with them [1].
The Mass was concelebrated by the Apostolic Nuncio to the Czech Republic Eugen Martin Nugent and Bishops Josef Nuzík, Martin David and Pavel Konzbul [1]. Guests included, for example, former president Václav Klaus, Senate President Miloš Vystrčil, Foreign Minister Petr Macinka and the governor of the Central Bohemian Region Petra Pecková [1]. President Petr Pavel did not attend the pilgrimage but sent a greeting, which was read during the Mass by the mayor of Brandýs nad Labem-Stará Boleslav, Petr Soukup [1].
During the service, a new silver reliquary bust of Saint Wenceslas containing his relic was displayed for the first time. It replaced the older bust used at the pilgrimage in previous years. It was made over two years in a jewellery workshop in Turnov; its acquisition was financed by donors and it was created by jeweller and goldsmith Jiří Urban in cooperation with jeweller Petr Vogel [1].
Related articles: Saint Wenceslas, Stará Boleslav
Chronology
- — People in Stará Boleslav commemorated St Wenceslas, patron saint of the Czech lands. ČTK / České noviny ČT24
Pages linking here
Sources
- ČTK / České noviny — 28 September 2026