Brezje was attested in written sources as Fresiach in 1350, Vresyach in 1354, Zabrezyach in 1389, and Nabresiach in 1498, among other spellings.[3] The name Brezje literally means 'birch woods', derived from the common noun breza 'birch'. Like similar toponyms in Slovenia (e.g., Brezova, Brezovec, Brezovci), it originally referred to the local vegetation.[4]
On 5 October 1988 the building was honoured with the title of minor basilica by apostolic grant of Pope John Paul II; he visited Brezje on 17 May 1996. Marije Pomagaj is one of two basilicas in Slovenia, the other is the Stična Abbey church in Lower Carniola. In 2000 the Slovenian Bishops' Conference declared it a national shrine. Every year, about 400,000 people visit the site, with the main pilgrimage celebrated on May 24.