Ruška nedelja

When Filip Švajgar, who led the pilgrimage from 1469 to 1485, obtained various indulgences from Rome, the pilgrimage became even more established and widespread. Not only on the main feast day, which was formerly celebrated on the feast of the Holy Name of Mary, but throughout the entire year, pilgrims individually and in processions increasingly came from near and far.

The pilgrimage gained special fame during the time of Turkish invasions. During these periods, the people of Ruše fervently appealed to Mary and promised that on the eve of Mary’s feast days, they would pray the Litanies of Loreto with two blessings before her altar, and on the feast day, at nine o’clock in the morning, they would pray the Holy Rosary with litanies, if she would graciously protect them from these dreadful calamities.

Mary also protected her devotees from the plague. When this deadly disease ravaged various places for three years, only one child and a young girl died in Ruše.

Not only the people of Ruše, but also other Christians from far and wide sought and found help from the Virgin Mary of Ruše during these dire times. When the great vizier Kara Mustafa arrived before Vienna and besieged the city with 200,000 soldiers, a multitude of people knelt before the Virgin Mary of Ruše day and night. Over nine weeks, more than 50 large processions arrived in Ruše. On September 12th, the Feast of the Name of Mary, when thousands of pilgrims had gathered in the church of Ruše, the Christians, under the command of the devout Polish King Sobieski, defeated the Turks before Vienna.

The unfortunate people who fell into Turkish captivity had great trust in Mary. The chronicle tells us about the nine who, through Mary's intercession, returned from Turkish captivity. As a reminder, they brought with them the chains in which they were chained.

Pilgrims still meet in Ruše every first Sunday after September 8.