Mothers in Prayer Gathered at the Cathedral for a Day of Prayer

On November 15, 2025, about one hundred women from the “Mothers in Prayer” movement gathered at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Philadelphia for a spiritual meeting. Participants represented various parishes of the Philadelphia Archeparchy, as well as the Stamford and Parma Eparchies.

The gathering began with Vespers, led by Metropolitan Borys Gudziak and finished with shared reflections and prayer for families, parishes, and the entire Church.

In his homily, Metropolitan Borys emphasized the spiritual significance of this year, 2025, which Pope Francis proclaimed as the Year of Hope. “This year we are experiencing a meaningful proposal from the late Pope Francis, who entrusted us with observing 2025 as the Year of Hope in the Catholic Church. Many of you took part in special celebrations with His Beatitude Sviatoslav and with Cardinal Bychok here in this cathedral, in your parishes, or during pilgrimages to Rome.", said the Archibishop.

He invited you to focus on Hope — one of the three theological virtues. "Together with faith and love, it forms the heart of Christian life. In their inseparable dynamic, Hope gives us orientation, pointing to the direction and purpose of our Christian existence. This is why the Apostle Paul urges: ‘Rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction, persevere in prayer.’ We must grow in hope so that each of you may offer a simple smile, a gesture of kindness, a friendly look, attentive listening, or a selfless act — knowing that for someone this may become a fruitful seed at just the right moment. Cultivate the nobility of the heart — today, attentiveness to the heart is especially important.”, he stated.