Šiluva pilgrimage celebrations draw thousands of believers
Tuesday 8th September 2026 on 22:45 in
Lithuania
The Šilinės religious celebrations have begun in Šiluva, a tradition spanning centuries that draws thousands of believers each year, LRT reported. This year’s programme marks the centenary of the Kaunas Archdiocese and the 50th anniversary of Šiluva Basilica.
September 8 is one of the most important days of the celebrations in Šiluva. It commemorates the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. An apparition of the Virgin Mary in Šiluva nearly 500 years ago is considered one of the oldest such apparitions in Europe.
“We see the significance of that event in what happened later. The revival of faith and the prominence of this place show that it was a very important impulse and a unifying element for our community. In the broadest sense, Lithuania’s freedom was prayed for here,” Kaunas Archbishop Kęstutis Kėvalas said.
Each day of the celebrations is dedicated to a different community, including special services officers, teachers, medical workers and clergy. Tuesday was dedicated to the military, with soldiers from the land, air and naval forces attending.
“For soldiers, not only physical strength is important, but spiritual strength as well. It gives strength and confidence. And when that confidence is lacking, we have a blessing from above. It always helps when carrying out our tasks,” said Antanas Matutis, commander of the Lithuanian Air Force.
The celebrations also mark the 50th anniversary of Šiluva’s church being declared a minor basilica. Silvija Čižaitė-Rudokienė, head of the Šiluva Pilgrimage Centre, recalled that the declaration was made in Rome in 1976, during the Soviet period.
That same year, authorities announced an outbreak of swine disease during the Šilinės celebrations and barred people from travelling to Šiluva. People went anyway, and processions began from Tytuvėnai to Šiluva to pray for Lithuania’s freedom, Čižaitė-Rudokienė said.
The Šilinės celebrations will continue until September 15. The largest number of believers is expected on Sunday.