GOLDEN JUBILEE
ŠILUVA CHAPEL
WHAT IS THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF OUR LADY OF ŠILUVA?
In 1457, in the village of Šiluva in western Lithuania, a wealthy landowner, P. Gedgaudas, built a Roman Catholic church in honor of the Nativity of Mary on his property. This became a regional pilgrimage site, especially during annual festivals on the feast of the Nativity of Our Lady (September 8). However, in the late 16th century, during the unsettled time of the Protestant Reformation, the church property was confiscated and the church was either razed or burned. Contemporary written reports state that in about 1608, children tending livestock on what was then fallow fields reported seeing a beautiful woman with long loose hair, holding a baby and weeping, while standing near a large rock in the field. Villagers, including the local Calvinist minister, went to the site to see what the children reported. When the minister asked the young woman why she wept so bitterly, she responded that her Son had once been worshipped on this sacred land, now given over to ploughing and sowing, and then she vanished. Subsequent revelations led to the discovery of a trunk buried by the last Catholic pastor, near the rock, which contained documents pertaining to the original church's establishment, as well as church ornaments. Legal proceedings ensued and the property seizure by Protestants was declared illegal. In 1627 a Catholic church was rebuilt on the site, and once again became a popular European pilgrimage destination until Russian occupation of Lithuania beginning in the 18th century limited access.
WHY IS OUR LADY OF ŠILUVA SIGNIFICANT TO LITHUANIANS?
It is a source of pride for Lithuanians that the apparition of Our Lady of Šiluva was among the earliest reported in Europe and appropriately scrutinized by the Vatican, much earlier than either Lourdes or Fatima. This greatly strengthened a tradition of devotion to Mary throughout Lithuania. Tens of thousands of pilgrims flocked to Šiluva annually on September 8. Marian devotion took on added significance as the Catholic faith was subjected to repression during the 19th and 20th century. Both Tsarist and Soviet rulers severely restricted the pilgrimages to Šiluva.
WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF THE CHAPEL OF OUR LADY OF ŠILUVA IN WASHINGTON, D.C.?
The Šiluva chapel is prominently located in the Great Upper Church of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the largest Catholic house of worship in the Americas; the Basilica welcomes 1 million visitors each year.
In the early 1960s, Americans and Canadians of Lithuanian descent, many of them immigrants or children of immigrants, wanted to have some expression of their Marian tradition in the National Shrine. In 1963, a committee formed under the leadership of Most Rev. Vincentas Brizgys, auxiliary bishop of Kaunas in exile, began an ambitious three-year campaign to raise $325,000, required funding to build the chapel. Their deep religious traditions, fidelity to their faith, and hope for their homeland’s future under challenging circumstances found expression in the chapel’s mosaics and sculptures, created by acclaimed Lithuanian artists. When the chapel was dedicated in 1966, Soviet repression of religion, national independence, and human rights was seemingly triumphant in Lithuania. Nevertheless, in 1991, the chapel’s silver jubilee celebration coincided with international recognition of the restoration of the independent Lithuanian state and the return of religious freedom after five decades of totalitarian rule.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW WILL THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CHAPEL BE CELEBRATED?
The anniversary will be celebrated in several ways. The Basilica of the National Shrine is hosting a public exhibit, The Chapel of Šiluva 50 Years Later, in its Memorial Hall from June 30 through November 27. The Basilica is open daily. For hours of operation see (http://www.nationalshrine.com/).
On Saturday, October 8, at 2 p.m., Dr. Jūratė Maciūnas Landwehr will present "A Conversation about the history and art of the Šiluva Chapel in the National Shrine" in McGivney Hall Auditorium on the campus of The Catholic University of America, which adjoins the Basilica.
On Sunday, October 9, at 2 p.m., a Mass of Thanksgiving will be celebrated in the Great Upper Church. Most Rev. Joseph E. Kurtz, Archbishop of Louisville (KY) and President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, will be the principal celebrant and homilist. He will be joined by Most Rev. Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See to the United States, and Most Rev. Lionginas Virbalas, S.J., Archbishop of Kaunas, in whose archdiocese Šiluva is located. Lithuanian choirs from Chicago, Cleveland, Philadelphia, and Toronto will sing at the Mass. A reception will follow the Mass in the Edward J. Pryzbyla University Center at The Catholic University of America, which adjoins the Basilica. Both the Mass and reception will be open to the public. Attendance at the Mass is free and no tickets or reservations are required. Tickets for the reception can be purchased now. See http://www.siluva50usa.org/events .
WHAT KIND OF INTEREST AND SUPPORT ARE THE ŠILUVA JUBILEE EVENTS ELICITING?
A number of distinguished Lithuanians, Americans, and Canadians have joined our Honorary Committee. Church leaders include Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington; Cardinal Audrys Bačkis, Archbishop Emeritus of Vilnius; Most Rev. Gintaras Grušas, Archbishop of Vilnius; Archbishop Kurtz; Archbishop Pierre; Archbishop Virbalas; and Rev. Monsignor Walter Rossi, Rector of the Basilica. Other Honorary Committee members from Lithuania are Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius; Ambassador to the United States Rolandas Kriščiūnas; and Ambassador to Denmark and Iceland Gintė Damušytė. Leaders from the Lithuanian diaspora community include Ms. Rūta Baltaduonytė-Lemon, Council President, Lithuanian Scouts Association; Dr. Tomas Girnius, Council President, North American “Ateitininkai”; Ms. Dalia Henke, President, World Lithuanian Community; Ms. Regina Juška-Švoba, Supreme Council President, Knights of Lithuania; Mr. Marius Kasniūnas, President and CEO, Lithuanian Foundation; Ms. Joana Kuras, National Executive President, Lithuanian Canadian Community; and Ms. Sigita Šimkuvienė-Rosen, National Executive Committee President, Lithuanian-American Community.
We hope for a large turnout at the jubilee Mass on October 9. Buses are being organized in Chicago, Cleveland, Philadelphia, New York, and Toronto to transport participants to Washington.
The Šiluva Chapel in Washington 50 Year Jubilee Committee partnered with the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania to host a June 30 program to open the exhibit. The committee has also received financial support for its efforts from the Lithuanian Catholic Mission in Washington, D.C.; Lithuanian Catholic Religious Aid; the Lithuanian Foundation; and the Plėtra Fund.
ARE ACCOMMODATIONS AVAILABLE FOR OUT-OF-TOWN VISITORS?
A block of rooms is available in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Lithuanian American Community, Inc. (LAC) that will also take place that same weekend. Discounted rooms are available October 6-11, at the Sheraton Silver Spring, in Silver Spring, MD, for $139 per night (plus tax). To receive the discounted room rate please use the code LAC/ ŠILUVA. To contact the Sheraton Silver Spring, go to www.sheratonsilverspring.com/
WHERE CAN I FIND UPDATED INFORMATION ABOUT THE CELEBRATION?
Updated information is provided through our Facebook account (Šiluva50USA) and on our website (www. Šiluva50usa.org ). We hope you’ll like us on Facebook!