Our Lady of Sorrows
Historical Context
Our Lady of Sorrows falls on 15 September and honours the patron saint of Slovakia. Its status as a paid day off is currently suspended under the 2024-2026 consolidation packages.
The Virgin of the Seven Sorrows (Sedembolestná Panna Mária) was declared the patron saint of Slovakia by Pope Pius XI in 1927, formalising a devotion centred on the basilica at Šaštín. The date became a paid public holiday after Slovak independence in 1993. The 2024-2026 consolidation packages suspended the paid-day-off status but kept the state-holiday designation.
The major pilgrimage to the Basilica of the Seven Sorrows in Šaštín continues regardless of working-day status, drawing tens of thousands of believers in the days surrounding 15 September. Local processions and Marian devotions are held in many parishes. With the day now a working day, many faithful attend evening masses or take leave individually.
Regional Traditions
Šaštín-Stráže (Záhorie)
The Basilica of the Seven Sorrows in Šaštín is the National Marian Shrine of Slovakia, and 15 September is the climax of a multi-day national pilgrimage running 13–16 September that draws tens of thousands of pilgrims from across the country and the diaspora. Veneration centres on the 1564 Pietà statue, formally approved by Archbishop Esterházy in 1732.
Levoča (Spiš)
On the eve of 15 September, Mariánska hora above Levoča hosts a vigil at 21:00 with a candlelit Way of the Cross and Mass, followed by main pilgrimage Masses at 10:00 and 14:30 on the feast itself. This complements Levoča's larger July Marian pilgrimage and ties Spiš's oldest Marian devotion to the national patroness.
Marianka (Bratislavský kraj)
Marianka, the oldest Marian pilgrimage site in former Hungary, marks 15 September alongside its main 8 September feast; the foundation stone of its Way of the Cross was deliberately consecrated on the Sedembolestná feast as patroness of Slovakia. Pilgrims from Bratislava and surrounding parishes walk the wooded calvary path beside the Pauline basilica.