Why do hundreds of thousands of Hungarians go to Csíksomlyó on Pentecost?
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Every year, hundreds of thousands of people gather in Csíksomlyó (Şumuleu Ciuc) in Transylvania. But what is the reason for that? Read our article to learn about the history and significance of the pilgrimage (búcsú) in Csíksomlyó.
Why do so many people pilgrimage to Csíksomlyó?
To this day, the Pentecost Pilgrimage to Csíksomlyó is one of the most important religious events in the history of all Hungarians. Every year, on Pentecost, Hungarian Catholic and Christian believers pilgrimage to Csíksomlyó, Transylvania, in the presence of hundreds of thousands of participants.
According to the faithful, the followers of the Roman Catholic Church can receive a full absolution at Csíksomlyó.
The believer who confesses their sins and repents, visits the shrine in the graceful state of the sacrament of confession and listens to the Holy Mass there, receives a full remission of the punishments remaining after the forgiveness of all their sins.
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History
Source: MTI/Veres Nándor
According to karpateuropa.hu, the Church and Monastery of St. Mary in Csíksomlyó is one of the greatest pilgrimage sites and cultural and historical monuments of Hungarians. The most valuable part of the church is the statue of the Virgin Mary with the baby Jesus.
Its history dates back to 1444, when Pope Eugene IV sent a circular letter to the faithful urging them to help the Franciscan order build a church.
In return for their help, he allowed them to hold a pilgrimage (búcsú).
My Hungarian is lacking, but I was sure that a pilgrimage was a “zarándoklat”, and that a “búcsú” was a (church) fair. Have I been wrong all this time?
Dear Reader, the word ‘pilgrimage’ does mean ‘zarándoklat’ in Hungarian but this is the word they use on every site when referring to the traditional Pentecost event in Csíksomlyó.