Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great Planning Eighty-Eighth Annual Pilgrimage

Since 1911 the Sisters of the Order of Saint Basil the Great have served the Ukrainian Catholic Church in the United States. Collectively and individually, the Sisters strive to be a Praying, Healing, Life-Giving Presence in every community in which they minister, especially in the field of education. One distinctive feature of their involvement with the community they serve is the annual pilgrimage honoring the Mother of God. This year’s pilgrimage will be held on Sunday, October 6, 2019, at the Basilian Motherhouse situated in Fox Chase Manor, Pennsylvania, just outside of Philadelphia.. The theme selected for this year’s pilgrimage is “The Unity of the Trinity: That all may be one through the intercession of the Mother of God.”

Following a traditional program established many decades ago, the day will begin with the Mystery of Reconciliation starting at 9:00 a.m. From 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. pilgrims are invited to see a special exposition—a replica of the Holy Shroud—in the Holy Trinity Chapel and then participate in the traditional observance of following the Stations of the Cross. A time-honored procession venerating the Mother of God will begin at the Basilian Spirituality Center and end at the Faculty House Auditorium where a bilingual Hierarchical Divine Liturgy will be celebrated by the Ukrainian Catholic Hierarchy, accompanied by a choir from the Ukrainian Catholic National Shrine of the Holy Family, Washington, DC. The choir will sing selected responses composed by renowned Ukrainian artists Mykola Leontovych and Roman Hurko. His Grace, Archbishop Borys Gudziak, will serve as homilist for the Divine Liturgy and the Moleben.

Afternoon activities will feature workshops on Promoting Family Unity, The Icon of the Holy Trinity and a craft-making workshop for children ages 4-7 at the Basilian Spirituality Center and a rosary processional led by Mothers in Prayer to the Grotto of Our Lady of Pochaiv. This will be followed by a Moleben celebrated by Ukrainian Catholic bishops and priests accompanied by a choir from the Ukrainian Catholic National Shrine of the Holy Family, Washington, DC. Following the religious services, pilgrims will be invited to partake in the sumptuous array of traditional Ukrainian and American delicacies that will be available in the food court in the parking lot between the auditorium and the Ukrainian Heritage Center. The pilgrimage will end at 5 p.m. with another beloved tradition—the blessing of cars and buses as pilgrims depart from the monastery grounds and begin the journey to their respective homes.

The annual pilgrimage is a long-standing tradition that allows the faithful to experience spiritual renewal and joy in the company of family, friends, and acquaintances . . . a reminder of Christ’s promise of love and inclusion: “Where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I in their midst.”

For further information, please call 215-379-3998 (ext. 17) or visit the Sisters’ website at www.stbasils.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Sisters-of-the-Order-of-St-Basil-the-Great-Jenkintown-PA/280623061977867?fref=ts.