The two-day pilgrimage hosted by the Sisters of the Order of
Saint Basil the Great, Under the Protection of the Mother of
God, the 76th Annual Pilgrimage was held the
weekend of October 6-7, 2007 on the Motherhouse grounds in
Fox Chase Manor, PA. For the first time, the annual
pilgrimage included the presence of Ukrainian Bishops from
around the world who were in the United States for the
Ukrainian Catholic Synod of Bishops.
The theme of the Pilgrimage was “Evangelizing in
the spirit of Bishop Soter Ortynsky to “Go teach all
nations” and Mother Helena Langevych, OSBM, who exhorts us
to go forth “With hope and trust in God’s heart”. As
always, God’s love and presence was felt in many ways.
The participating Bishops arrived at the
Motherhouse on Saturday, October 6, to officiate at the
Akathist Service to the Mother of God, which was held at the
Shrine of Our Lady of Pochaiv with His Grace Sofron Mudryi,
OSBM, Bishop-Emeritus of Ivano-Frankivsk serving as
celebrant. At 7:15 PM, a beautiful candlelight procession
wove its way to the Shrine, the glow of candles on many
faces providing an outward expression of the light of God’s
presence. The Seminarians, from St. Josaphat Ukrainian
Catholic Seminary in Washington, DC, sang the responses to
the Akathist.
After the Akathist, over fifty young adults met
with Metropolitan Archbishop Stefan Soroka, Metropolitan
Archbishop Lawrence Huculak, OSBM, Archbishop Emeritus
Michael Bzdel, C.Ss.R., Eparch Emeritus Sofron Mudryi, OSBM,
Bishop Volodemer Koubetch, OSBM, Bishop Emeritus Efraim B.
Krevey, OSBM, Bishop Wolodymyr Juczczak, OSBM, in a dialogue
on faith in today’s world. Conversation, slow at first,
became a rapid stream as the young adults warmed to the
bishops, realizing they were there to listen and discuss.
Ending a week of foggy mornings, dawn burst onto
the scene Sunday, enlightening and enlivening the
preparations for a day of spiritual renewal and healing.
Over 1,000 arriving pilgrims immediately took part in the
opportunity of the mystery of reconciliation or streamed to
the various shrines on the property to pray for their
particular petitions. The children from St. Josaphat’s
School in Philadelphia were joined by Archbishop Soroka and
Archbishop Emeritus Bzdel, C.Ss.R. for a children’s program
in the Basilian Spirituality Center. Soon after the program
ended, the children, along with representatives from Suma
and Plast, gathered to lead the hierarchy and clergy in
procession to the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. The
Celebrant and Homilist His Grace Metropolitan Lawrence
Huculak, OSBM, Winnipeg, Canada, spoke about the celebration
of the 100th anniversary of Bishop Soter Ortynsky
and Bishop Soter’s close relationship with Mother Helena
Langewych, foundress of the Philadelphia Province of the
Sisters of the Order of Saint Basil the Great. Metropolitan
Huculak brought home the message to the faithful to become
true Christians, not just in name, but also in action,
especially in their local parish. The beautiful, joyful
voices of the Prometheus Choir rolled over the Pilgrims and
grounds as they sang the responses to the Pontifical Divine
Liturgy.
In the middle of the afternoon of this Indian
Summer Sunday, the hierarchy, clergy, and religious moved in
procession, carrying the Icon of our Lady of Protection (Pochaiv),
to the Grotto where a Moleben Service to the Mother of God
was celebrated. The celebrant and homilist His Grace
Serverian Yakymyshin, OSBM, Bishop-Emeritus of New
Westminster offered a reflection on our devotion to the
Mother of God.
Afterwards, clergy
dispersed among the faithful for the Mystery of Holy
Anointing (healing). Whether struggling with a physical
ailment or carrying the weight of some other burden, the
pilgrims felt comfort and relief as they were prayed over
and anointed with holy oil. The physical and spiritual
healing concluded the services, embodying the very essence
of the Pilgrimage.
