Monthly Archives - April 2024

Pope Leo XIII had beer brought from Pilsen for health reasons at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Following this tradition, the Pilsen brewery sends a special batch of lager to the Holy Father every year around Easter. The beer was blessed by the Bishop of Pilsen, Mons. Tomáš Holub, before the journey. Diplomats working at the Holy See and other guests, at the invitation of the Czech ambassador to the Holy See, Mr. Václav Kolaja, had the opportunity to taste the beer on 9^th April 2024. This social event, which is also a kind of presentation of Czech culture every year, has already been held several times on the terrace of our pilgrimage house. The beer was tapped by the emeritus chief brewer of Pilsen, Mr. Václav Berka. Among the guests was present also the cardinal with Czech roots, Michael Czerny.

Unlike most of the spring months, the Easter holidays - from Palm Sunday onwards - in Velehrad belonged to families, small groups and individuals. Together with them, we also cellebrated the rites of the Easter Triduum in our chapel - with quite a lot of participation, in a modest, collected atmosphere. Some of our guests had the honor of experiencing one of the cellebrations in the St. Peter's Basilica with Pope Francis, many took the opportunity to celebrate the Holly mass  on Easter Sunday directly on St. Peter's Square with pilgrims from all over the world and then receive the Urbi et Orbi blessing. Pilgrims then take home the precious moments they have experienced…