Şumuleu Ciuc: Largest Roman Catholic pilgrimage in SE Europe

Thousands of pilgrims are heading to Harghita’s Şumuleu Ciuc, near the city of Miercurea Ciuc, to attend the largest Roman-Catholic pilgrimage in South-East Europe – the Pentecost procession to the Franciscan Monastery, dedicated to Virgin Mary.

Crowds of believers come each year to the statue of Virgin Mary to pray. To reach to the miraculous statue of the Franciscan church, one climbs several steps; at her feet there is a prayer in Hungarian and Romanian for anyone to say.

Seen from whichever side, the statue gives the impression that it weeps and her soft gaze follows you everywhere. The statue of Our Lady is credited with hundreds of miraculous healing and fulfilled wishes, with myriads of metal objects suspended on the walls of the church, donated by the people whose prayers were answered, bearing testimony to that.

This year, an estimated hundred thousand believers are said to come.

Religious event is scheduled to start today and end on Monday.

Source:RRA.Translated by Miruna Matei