Pope Francis, in the Bull proclaiming the Holy Year 2025, encourages us all to become pilgrims of hope.

“Pilgrimage expresses a fundamental element of every jubilee event. Traveling from one country to another, as if borders were transcended, setting out from one city to another in contemplation of creation and works of art — all this will allow us to be enriched by diverse experiences and cultures and to absorb the beauty that is harmonized by prayer and leads to thanksgiving to God for His marvelous works.”

(Pope Francis, Bull of Indiction of the Holy Year 2025)

In the spirit of Pope Francis’ Bull, the Slovenian Marian Shrine is preparing a series of lectures in the Holy Year 2025 to shed light on the meaning and history of pilgrimage centers.

On the Friday of the first week of Lent, we welcomed Fr. Peter Lavrih, the Commissary of the Holy Land, to the hall above the sacristy of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians.

After the evening Holy Mass, he spoke about the importance of the Word in Sacred Scripture and in the life of St. Francis.

Fr. Peter Lavrih is the head of the Commissariat for the Holy Land, through which he has led thousands of Slovenians on pilgrimages to the Holy Land.

He first journeyed through the biblical lands in 1980, and has been officially guiding pilgrimage groups there since 1988. For over 35 years, he has been shaping the story of Slovenians connecting with the Holy Land.

On the 25th anniversary of the Commissariat, Fr. Peter Lavrih wrote:

“The Holy Land is the geography of the Holy Scriptures; it is the Bible placed upon the earth, upon the lake, upon the mountain…”

After the evening Holy Mass, celebrated in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians by Fr. Robert Bahčič, the hall above the sacristy was filled with listeners.

Through photographs, Fr. Peter presented places connected to the life and work of Jesus. The journey led us from Nazareth, through Bethlehem and the Jordan River, back to Bethlehem.

“Pilgrimage is a celebration of faith. It is an opportunity to meet people and places, and above all, to speak with others in a spirit of respect for fellow human beings.”

These were just some of the reflections shared by Fr. Peter Lavrih in his lecture.

Prepared by: AEF