Church of the Most Holy Name of Jesus in Pilica

The Church of the Most Holy Name of Jesus stands in Biskupice, part of Pilica, and is the monastery church of the Reformed Franciscans. The church was built in 1743-1746 and consecrated on 14 May 1747. It is listed in the heritage register and today also serves as a shrine of Our Lady of the Snows.

Foundation and history of the monastery

The Franciscans settled here in 1740-1745 on the initiative of Maria Józefa Sobieska, née Wessel, founder of the church and monastery. In the 18th century the monastery had a library and a school of philosophy and theology. A fire in 1857 and reprisals after the January Uprising led to the monastery's dissolution in 1902. The friars returned in 1915, and during the Second World War the monastery, plundered by the Germans, served as a place of clandestine teaching. Since 1946 it has served the newly established parish.

The painting of Our Lady of the Snows

The main focus of worship is a 17th-century painting, probably of Italian origin, regarded as one of the oldest copies of the Roman image of Salus Populi Romani. In 2003 the church was raised to the rank of shrine. Nearby you can also see the castle in Pilica, about half a kilometre away.

Practical information

• Address: Biskupice 47, Pilica municipality.
• The building is in use as a church; visit the interiors with respect for services.