The cult of Our Lady of Księżomierz goes back to the early 17c. It is connected with the apparitions of Our Lady which took place on the outskirts of the village in a place called until now "The Apparition Spot". It was cardinal Bernard Maciejowski, Bishop of Cracow, that had a stone chapel built there. The chapel was dedicated to the Birth of Our Lady. A special picture of Our Lady was brought from Cracow and placed in it. Marcin Syszkowski, Bishop of Cracow, made the chapel a filial church of the parish of Dzierzkowice, of which the village of Księżomierz was a part until the year 1867. It was in 1783 that a little church made of squared larch trunks was brought from Chodel to Księżomierz. The church was 19.5 m long, 9.5 m wide and it had a tower bell 16.5 m high. The picture of Our Lady found its place in its main altar. Since 1867 a priest settled down there ministering to the local people. The proper parish priest was established only in 1921. For the last four centuries Our Lady has been venerated permanently not only by people living in the village but also by the those living in all this region. Numerous votive offerings placed around the picture of Our Lady manifest this, as well as numerous pilgrimages that come here from quite a distance. All these forms of worship became easier particularly after Poland regained its independence in 1918. Among the clergy involved in spreading the fame of Our Lady of Księżomierz were the following parish prests: Fr. Jan Zubrzycki (1912-1924), Fr. Stanisław Zawrocki (1924-1929), Fr. Jan Kozak (1929-1934), Fr. Józef Paczos (1934-1970), Fr. Wacław Cie licki (1975-1977), Fr. Edwad Szymkiewicz (1977-1980) and the present parish priest and custodian (in charge) of the shrine Fr. Tadeusz Brzyski (1970-1975 and 1980-). Fr. Józef Trąbka has also been involved in it as the present administrator of the parish. At present the Shrine is not only recognized and visited by the faithful of the Deanery of Kraśnik and the next door Deanery of Zaklików, but also plays an ever more significant role for the whole Archdiocese of Lublin. Pilgrims appreciate its picturesque landscape and well-cared for Shrine area. A special Pilgrim House was built here in the years 1980-1985 where pilgrims can find a comfortable accomodation. Lots of prayer groups and Bible studies come here for their retreat, for instance seminarians, Oaza groups and even Polish children from Bielarus. All this made the Archbishop Metropolitan of Lublin express his will to prepare the coronation of the picture of Our Lady of Księżomierz. It has become impossible for the time being, however, as a big fire destroyed both the church and the picture on the night of 4-5 May 1996. Inspite of this the cult of Our Lady in Księżomierz has been still expanding. A special copy of the destroyed picture of Our Lady has been made by Andrzej Borucki, graduate of Art History from the Catholic Univeristy of Lublin. A new church has also been constructed by the architects Adam Abram and Edward Paszkiewicz in 1996-1997.