Tens thousands of pilgrims from Belarus and other countries will celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Budslav Mother of God icon.
Budslav Mother of God icon is one of the most revered icons in the Catholic Church and is famous for many miracles. Every year pilgrims flock to it from all over the country and from abroad. This year Budslav is planning to host 40-45 thousand Catholics and among them 2,5-4 thousand walking pilgrims.

Catholic bishops from Poland, Ukraine, Romania and Italy will take part in the celebrations. Perhaps the representatives of the Lithuanian bishops will come.
The XXIII walking pilgrimage from Minsk to Budslav started from Minsk Cathedral of the Holy Name of Mary on July, 1. The 10th cycle pilgrimage is scheduled to will begin on July, 3 in Minsk. In the more distant cities pilgrimage began earlier. For example, the pilgrims from Braslav went on June, 30.

"The current jubilee is celebrated in the Year of Faith. Its theme -" Mary - Mother of Our Faith," which reminds about our desire to come through Mary to Jesus to renew and strengthen our faith," - said Metropolitan Kondrusewich.
The Hierarch welcomed the guests and pilgrims from Russia. "For the first time in the modern history of the Catholic Church in Belarus we celebrate the anniversary of the Budslav Sanctuary - 400th anniversary of the arrival of the miraculous image of the Mother of God. Budslav celebration will be led by Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran," - he said.