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The trail leads from Proseč pod Křemešníkem through the Ivaniny rybníčky nature reserve to the Chapel of St. John, then follows the Way of the Cross up to the Křemešník hill.

Father Jalovecký is summoned to Křemešník, but the Communist regime is determined to wipe out religion and he has nowhere to sleep and nothing to eat. Will you help him keep the tradition of the Holy Trinity pilgrimage alive?

After Jalovecký's transfer in June 1952, three more priests came and went at Křemešník within three years. None of them lasted. One left without notice, another refused to move in, and the third was transferred elsewhere after three months. From 1955, the presbytery stood empty for good. Dean Václav Bureš from Pelhřimov then made the journey every Sunday for fourteen years to celebrate Mass. From 1957, the Communists tried a new strategy. They organised secular youth festivals to run alongside the pilgrimage. Brass bands, variety shows, fairground rides. In 1967, Matuška, Neckář, Kubišová and Vondráčková all performed at Křemešník. The pilgrimage survived even that. In 1969, when Bishop Hlouch visited Křemešník for the first time in years, over thirty thousand people came, for the pilgrimage and the festival alike. The Matice Křemešnická association was not revived until 2013. During a clean-up of the buildings, hidden documents from the original Matice were discovered, including yearbooks, records and correspondence. Nobody knows who hid them there. 

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Václav Jalovecký (1952): Nature, how beautiful you can be! My name is Václav Jalovecký and I am a monastic priest. I come from around here; as a boy, I used to hike up Křemešník with my mother. I can’t get enough of this beauty. I’ve just been released from prison. I was convicted under the Law for the Protection of the Republic. I was sentenced to two years, but they released me early. President Gottwald, the very same man who signed the sentence, signed the pardon. And now they've sent me here as the new caretaker of Křemešník. They’ve granted me exactly what I wished for. That doesn’t make any sense, they must be up to something. You simply can’t trust the Communists. I’m supposed to work here, but I’m not allowed to move into the rectory. The church secretary forbade it. And I won’t get a salary either. Every day I have to hold Mass at Křemešník, hear confessions, and maintain the pilgrimage site. But where will I sleep? How will I eat? I have nothing.

Law for the Protection of the Republic

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Václav Jalovecký (1952): I can't stop, I must… I must keep going. What god forsaken weather. Snow has started gathering behind my neck, and my feet are freezing through my boots. Five kilometers from the sister's house to Křemešník isn't that far… even when I am freezing to the bone. When I think about what other priests have been through I am ashamed to be losing strength so easily. Have you heard about Josef Toufar? The parish priest of Číhošt, a humble country priest. In January 1950 he was arrested by the StB. They interrogated him for so long and so brutally, that he died within a month. And then they ridiculed his legacy by publishing a movie all across the Czech cinemas. They made a film where they framed him as a charlatan. In June 1950, three months after his death, they convicted 10 religious workers in a massive trial. Abbott Machalka, the Jesuits, Dominicans. They were all sentenced to 15 years to life. And for what? for being priests, because they believed in god more than in Gottwald. The least I can do is to be every day in Křemešník for those who are still strong, for those who aren’t scared away easily. Although today I am unsure if someone will come. Just a bit further… just a lit… 

Bitter Winter

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Václav Jalovecký (1952): Finally spring is here. In four weeks the annual trinity pilgrimage will take place. As a little boy I used to go there with my mother. I have seen thousands of people come on Saturday morning, even those who lived up to 70 km away. Pilgrims walked all night to be there by morning. Six masses were held each day, at a three-sided altar, where three priests served simultaneously. And at midnight, a blessing was given to those who had slept under the open sky. Stalls everywhere, music. Fifteen thousand people on a single hill. All of this was organized by Matice Křemešnická, an association that put together a program every year and sent out yearbooks and invitations across the country. But Matice was dissolved last year. And now I’m standing here alone. Should I organize the pilgrimage? Should I invite people? I noticed that a member of the State National Security was watching me. Sometimes he stands by the spring and writes down everyone who comes to pray. What if something is being planned? I don’t want to endanger the pilgrims.

A Trap for Pilgrims

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Václav Jalovecký (1952): Thank you for your help. The pilgrimage will take place! I spread the word about the pilgrimage through the priests in the surrounding villages. Verbally, without paper, I’m not allowed to send out invitations. And look, I see Mrs. Roznětínská over there. A believer who has been coming to Křemešník every Sunday for over fifteen years. In every weather, during all regimes. “Good morning, what good news are you bringing me? What? The local vendors didn’t get permission to sell at the fair? Not even snacks?” Without stalls, without entertainment, without snacks, only the truly devout will come. The rest will go elsewhere. And next year, fewer will come. And the year after that, even fewer.

A Pilgrimage Without a Fair

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Václav Jalovecký (1952): Well, I have to tell you, without you there wouldn’t be a fair at all. Bringing in those vendors from elsewhere was a great idea. But don’t think it ends there. The district secretary is doing everything he can to ruin the fair for us. He canceled bus service from Pelhřimov and the surrounding area. People won’t have a way to get here. Let’s be honest, there aren’t many who are willing to walk ten kilometers there and back. Attendance will be dismal.

Waiting for a Miracle

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Václav Jalovecký (1952): Now that’s what I call a miracle! I just got word that the buses will be running! The bus drivers plan to set out even without permission. But no one must find out before the pilgrimage takes place. Apparently, I don’t have to worry about them; apparently, who would drive them if they were locked up? Ha ha, that’s the strongest feeling of hope I’ve experienced in recent years…What’s this? A letter from the church secretary? What? I’m being transferred to Veselíčko near Milevsko effective immediately? A week before the pilgrimage?

Sudden Transfer

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Václav Jalovecký (1952): This is wonderful! So many people! But shh, don’t draw attention to me I'm here in secret. Even though I serve elsewhere now, I couldn’t miss this! But what’s that rumbling? Did the District National Committee organize a youth festival on the same day as the fair? See, I expected some kind of provocation from the start. There’s a big stage here with concerts. That’ll drown out all the church services. And there are also lots of stands selling alcohol; hopefully there won’t be any conflict. That’s exactly what the communists are waiting for.

Operation Pilgrimage

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