Sister Servants held the 69th annual Dormition Pilgrimage in Sloatsburg, NY
On August 12-13, 2023, the 69th annual Holy Dormition (Assumption) Pilgrimage, organized by the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate, took place in Sloatsburg. This year’s pilgrimage theme was “Mary, Mother of God, watch over us and our beloved Nations with your noble protection”.
On August 13, at 10:30 a.m., all the faithful gathered for the Divine Liturgy, led by Bishop Bohdan Danylo, with Metropolitan Borys Gudziak and Bishop Paul Chomnycky as concelebrants.
In his sermon, Bishop Bohdan Danylo addressed the faithful: “I would like to reflect today on why these apostles, and we run so joyfully and with trust to the Mother of God and ask for Her intercession. Perhaps, because She teaches us how to become true followers of God with Her human life”. Bishop Bohdan emphasized that the greatness of Mary, which she wants to teach us today, is that she calls us to keep this fiat in our lives. Hence, our first lesson is to believe that the Lord leads our lives as He led Mary’s. Bishop Bohdan noted: “Mary teaches us that being a Christian means sharing - sharing life! How much we have been able to share, especially in this year and a half, with those who are in greater need, refugees, displaced persons, at the front, but this should not stop the moment victory comes because we as Christians must constantly see those in need”.
After the Divine Liturgy, Bishop Paul Chomnycky thanked everyone for their presence and joint prayer, especially the Sisters Servants for their work and hosting the pilgrims. The Divine Liturgy was followed by the blessing of flowers, down time, presentations, and the blessing of the Stations of the Cross, which the pilgrims walked in prayer for Ukraine, and Moleben to the Mother of God.
