San Venceslao 28.9.2022

As every year, the Czech community in Rome had the opportunity, together with pilgrims from home, to celebrate the national patron saint Wenceslas with the Holy Mass in the czech language in the St. Peter´s Basilica in the Vatican. Bishop of Litoměřice Mons. Jan Baxant came to preside over this liturgy at the head of a pilgrim group of his diocesan members. He didn’t fail to mention that the beautiful stained glass window of the Holy Spirit in the basilica also comes from his diocese. Pilgrimage house Velehrad had the honor to provide to the bishop and pilgrims from his diocese of hospitality.

After the solemn Holly Mass followed a traditional procession to the altar of St. Wenceslas with the singing of the St. Wenceslas Choral and Czech national anthem. The Holly Mass was concelebrated by many Czech priests, not only those living in Rome, but also those who came from home or elsewhere. Musical accompaniment was provided by the Teplice Philharmonic together with with Kühn’s mixed choir. The day after, they performed the oratorio Inspiration of Eternity in the Lateran Basilica on the occasion of the presidency of the Czech Republic in the Council of the EU.