The Székely people of Csík, Gyergyó and Kászon kept the Catholic faith throughout the centuries of the Reformation. It is still the largest denomination in Székely Land, and the pilgrimage tradition is at its strongest here: hundreds of thousands gather at Csíksomlyó every Whitsun.
- Where they live
- Csík, Gyergyó, Kászon and many places in Háromszék and Udvarhelyszék
- Church organisation
- Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Gyulafehérvár (Alba Iulia)
- Share of the population
- Two-thirds in Harghita County, more than a third in Covasna County (2011)
- Greatest feast
- The Whitsun pilgrimage at Csíksomlyó
How Csík remained Catholic
In the 16th century the Reformation spread rapidly across most of Transylvania, but Csík, Gyergyó and Kászon remained Catholic. The Franciscans played a key role: besides the friary at Csíksomlyó, in the 17th century they also had houses at Mikháza, Gyergyószárhegy and Esztelnek, with schools and libraries – and a printing press at Csíksomlyó.
The high point of the year for Catholic communities is the búcsú, the feast of the church’s patron saint or title. On that day pilgrims arrive from the surrounding villages in parish groups, carrying a cross and banners and singing.
Read more: the history of religious tourism
How to recognise the church
- A cross on top of the tower, and often a crucifix or a statue of Our Lady in the churchyard.
- In the sanctuary: the high altar and the tabernacle, with a sanctuary lamp burning beside it to show the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.
- Altarpieces and statues, with the fourteen Stations of the Cross on the walls.
- A holy water font at the entrance: the faithful bless themselves with it as they enter.
- In Csík many churches are surrounded by stone walls: these fortified churches sheltered the villagers in times of danger.
If you attend Mass
- On Sunday mornings parishes celebrate Mass, larger churches several times. The Mass times are posted on the church door or at the parish office.
- Mass lasts about an hour. You can stand and sit with everyone else; if you do not know the liturgy, quiet and attentive presence is enough.
- Holy Communion is for Catholics; if you are not Catholic, stay in your pew.
- Dress modestly at shrines and on feast days: clothes covering shoulders and knees are appropriate everywhere.
- Do not take photographs or walk around the church during Mass.
Pilgrimage feasts worth travelling for
- Whit SaturdayThe Csíksomlyó pilgrimage, the greatest pilgrimage feast in Székely Land
- 27 JunePilgrimage to the St Ladislaus memorial on Pogány-havas above Csíkszépvíz
- 2 JulyPatronal feast of the Csíksomlyó shrine, the Visitation of Our Lady
- Around 26 JulySt Anne’s Day pilgrimage at the chapel of St Anne’s Lake
- 15 AugustFeast of the Assumption at the Kontumác church in Gyimesbükk
- 8 DecemberFeast of the Immaculate Conception at Csíkmenaság
The feast of the Jesus Chapel in Székelyudvarhely is held on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart. You will find exact dates in the events calendar.
