Pilgrimage 2008

Enjoying the perfect October weather, over 700 pilgrims joined the Sisters of the Order of Saint Basil the Great for their 77^th annual Pilgrimage, under the Protection of the Mother of God. The Pilgrimage, held on October 4 and 5, 2008, was blessed with two bright, crisp fall days. 2008’s theme “Nurturing Oneself in the Image of the Mother of God.” incorporates caring, compassion, understanding, good works, and prayer - which all make up the fabric of unconditional love that is personified by and exemplified by the Mother of Christ.

In keeping with the theme, the 2008 event opened on the evening of October 4, with a special program for young adults at the Basilian Spirituality Center. At 7 P.M., pilgrims and Sisters joined for a candlelight procession to the grotto for the Akathist to the Mother of God, celebrated this year by Rev. Nestor Iwasiw from the Ukrainian Catholic Holy Family Parish in Washington, D.C. The cool autumn evening was made warm by the glow of brightly glowing candles and the exuberant spirit and enthusiasm of the nearly 50 young adults who chanted the responses during the Akathist and the familiar ritual of the Blessing of the Water that followed.

After the service, the young adults in attendance gathered in the Basilian Spirituality Center to engage in a spirited and inspirational dialogue guided by Rev. Michael Polosky from Saints Peter & Paul Parish, Ambridge PA and Sister Markella Venher, OSBM.

On Sunday morning, many pilgrims began the day with confession and a procession to the Basilian Spirituality Center for the bilingual Hierarchical Divine Liturgy celebrated by Archbishop Stefan Soroka with Bishop Basil Losten and Bishop John Bura. The Divine Liturgy response were sung by the seminarians of St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Seminary of Washington, DC, and the hymns rose on the voices of the children from Philadelphia’s St. Josaphat School.

The afternoon activities included a special Children’s Program conducted by Sister Lydia Anna Sawka at the Basilian Spirituality Center and the much-anticipated Moleben celebrated by Bishop John Bura at the Shrine of Our Lady of Pochaiv. The Rev. Wasyl Kharuk, St. Josaphat Seminary, Washington, D.C. delivered a stirring homily, and the choir of St. Vladimir’s Ukrainian Catholic Church of Elizabeth New Jersey sang the Moleben responses, as pilgrims participated in the healing and comforting Mystery of Holy Anointing.

One of the featured highlights of 2008 was an exhibit dedicated to Mother Helena Langevych, OSBM, the foundress of the Philadelphia monastery whose motherly concern for the Sisters, orphans, and others under her care was legendary and a sparkling reflection of the attributes inspired by the Mother of God. In addition to the display many pilgrims seized the opportunity to walk to Mother Helena’s gravesite, seeking guidance, inspiration, and intervention with their worldly troubles. During the two-day event, Sister Laura Palka, OSBM, Provincial Superior, introduced the newly established Mother Helena Langevych Society, whose members perpetuate the legacy of Mother Helena by supporting her cause and by serving as a praying, healing, and life-giving presence in the lives of others.

Another cherished highlight was the blessing of religious articles brought by the pilgrims and the blessing of the cars and buses that were to take them home and, God willing, bring them safely back for next year’s pilgrimage.