Aug 23, 2002 3 min read

The 68th Annual Pilgrimage in honor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, sponsored by the Sisters of St. Basil the Great in Uniontown, focuses on Mary, the Mother of God, as a model of peace, a real-life example of how to endure hardships, misunderstandings and sorrows with faith, hope and a peaceful spirit. The four-day event, held over the Labor Day weekend from Aug. 30 to Sept. 2, includes presentations on the theme of personal peace along with special programs designed for children, teen-agers, young adults and parents.

“This year, we sing the Litany of Peace more earnestly and with a greater sense of urgency as we realize how vulnerable life can be in a troubled world,’ said Sister Ruth Plante, provincial for the Basilian community. “But we take heart in Jesus’ reminder that he has overcome this world. Our strength is in him, and in our hope we turn to Mary, his mother and ours, to show us how to manage the difficulties of each day peacefully with a firm faith in and fidelity to God’s plan for us.’

The pilgrimage, which traditionally draws between 8 and 10,000 people of various faiths from across the country, will be the first opportunity for many Byzantine Catholics to meet the three newest hierarchs of the Byzantine-Ruthenian Metropolia in the United States, all enthroned within the past three months: Metropolitan Archbishop Basil M. Schott, Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, enthroned July 9; the Most Rev. John M. Kudrick, Eparch of Parma, ordained bishop and enthroned July 10; and the Most Rev. William C. Skurla, Eparch of Van Nuys, ordained bishop and enthroned April 23. They will be joined in liturgical celebrations by the Most Rev. Andrew Pataki, Eparch of Passaic; the Most Rev. Michael J. Dudick, Eparch of Passaic, retired; the Most Rev. George M. Kusma, Eparch of Van Nuys, retired; and many other clergy from around the Metropolia.

The full program of events includes many beautiful liturgical prayers and traditions of the Byzantine Catholic Church, including matins, vespers, Akathist, moleben, mystery of reconciliation (confessions), a healing/anointing service and special processions. Special arrangements are available, including transportation around the Mount, to help the elderly, sick and physically challenged pilgrims fully participate in all events.

In addition, Pilgrimage 2002 offers individual and family private pastoral counseling, education and discussion forums, personal enrichment sessions and a variety of icons, religious gifts and cards and ethnic crafts and food. Although casual attire is acceptable, participants are asked to be mindful of the religious nature of the services and activities that take place and to dress according to traditional Christian values and standards of modesty.

The Sisters of St. Basil invite all interested individuals and families to come and pray for the gift of peace so that, as Sister Planted noted, “spiritually enriched, we may go forth together as ambassadors of God’s peace.’