Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great hold 90th Pilgrimage at Fox Chase

In his sermon, Metropolitan Borys focused on a passage from the Gospel of Luke often read during Marian feasts, which includes our Lord’s words about true blessedness, “blessed are those who hear and obey God’s word.” (Lk 11:28) He posed several questions to those present to bring the passage alive.

“What does it mean to hear the Word of God? What are we called to hear? God speaks to us through the Holy Scriptures, through the teachings of the Church, through the beauty of nature. What is the Lord trying to tell us? The Lord wants us to know that He loves us. We need to be strengthened in gratitude and freedom. This pilgrimage should help us return to our homes and to our places of work with peace and confidence of who we are–God’s beloved children whom He has dreamed of, whom He guides and blesses.”

Archbishop Borys urged pilgrims to share with others what they themselves have heard. “We have a special responsibility to share God’s Word. The strongest sermon consists in our lives and attitudes. The purpose of this pilgrimage is for us to come back home in peace and share this peace with those who were not here today. The pandemic continues. There will be losses and pain, but we will not be afraid if we know that God loves us and has given his Son so that we can be with Him in eternity.”

He thanked God for “this beautiful day, for the hospitality of our dear Sisters, and for the fact that we were able to come here to be united in faith, peace, and love.”

After the liturgy and lunch, there were two spiritual programs. The first, held in the Basilian Spirituality Center, was a presentation on St. Joseph given by Manor College President Jonathan Peri. The second was a presentation by Deacon Volodymyr Radko on the Holy Family given at the Grotto.

The pilgrimage concluded with Moleben to the Blessed Virgin. The Sisters of St. Basil the Great expressed profound joy and thanks for the occasion and especially to all those who made the journey to Fox Chase.