Events
94th Annual Pilgrimage – Sunday 10/5/25
On Sunday, October 5, more than 800 faithful converged on the Motherhouse of the Sisters of the Order of Saint Basil the Great at Fox Chase to attend the 94th Annual Pilgrimage to the Mother of God. Archbishop Borys Gudziak had designated this Pilgrimage as a Jubilee site. This year’s theme, “Mary, Mother of Hope,” inspired reflection on faith, mercy, and hope. Archbishop Borys Gudziak celebrated the Divine Liturgy along with many priests. Mitred Archpriest Peter Waslo preached the homily reflecting on the Gospel for the Feast of the Protection of the Mother of God. Fr. Waslo reminded pilgrims that hope is found in Christ’s constant presence.
“The Gospel gives us hope — that no matter where we are in our lives: broken, addicted, full of emotion, doubting or even questioning, even too busy to stop — our Lord is there, not to scold us but to be present,” he said. “He is showing us or telling us: choose the better part. I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in Me will have eternal life.”
He added that the Christian life demands continual vigilance and humility:
“We Christians struggle throughout our lives with some quirks in our personalities. We must be on guard at all times. We may have problems with our emotions where anger rears its ugly head. We may gossip or talk too much when we should be listening. We may be sensitive and offended by what others think or say — and not just about us personally.”
In the afternoon, the pilgrims gathered for presentations at the Basilian Spirituality Center — one in English by Gina Christian, a journalist for OSV News, and another in Ukrainian by Father Volodymyr Radko, Director of Vocations for the Archeparchy of Philadelphia. Confessions were heard by 7 to 12 priests at any given time throughout the morning. Opportunities for prayer included the Rosary, Stations of the Cross, and later the Moleben.
Fr. Roslyn gave the reflection at the Moleben on the icon of the Mother of God holding a naked Jesus, as “Mary, Mother of Hope” who holds us in mercy in our own nakedness of sin, anxiety and difficulties. This Pilgrimage was a call to prayer and contemplation that is needed more than ever in a war-ravaged world.
The day ended with an Anointing for Healing, and the blessing of cars and buses by Fr. Chirpita. Click here for some photos from the day.
