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Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great hold 87th Annual Pilgrimage to the Mother of God
On September 30, 2018 the 87th Annual Pilgrimage to the Mother of God was hosted by the Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great in Fox Chase Manor, Pa. The main celebrant and homilist for the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was Bishop Benedict Aleksiychuk of the Eparchy of St. Nicholas in Chicago. Concelebrants included Bishop John Bura, Auxillary Bishop of Philadelphia; Bishop Paul Chomnycky, OSBM of Stamford; Bishop Bohdan Danylo of Parma; Msgr. Peter Waslo, Chaplain; the Very Rev. Roman Pitula; and other clergy. Seminarians from St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Seminary in Washington, D.C., were the Altar Servers for the Divine Liturgy. The responses were led by the choir from Assumption Ukrainian Catholic Church, Perth Amboy, N.J.
Bishop Benedict’s homily at both the Divine Liturgy and Moleben stressed how important it is to live in the present moment – giving praise to God at all times. When God is first in our life, then everything else will fall into its appropriate place; when God dwells in our heart, in his home, then it is only He who fills us with joy and happiness.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Provincial Superior Sister Dorothy Ann Busowski, OSBM, thanked all the pilgrims for attending and invited everyone to stay, mingle with friends, partake of the delicious food being served in the complex courtyard, and join in the processional to the shrine of Our Lady of Pochaiv where a Moleben to the Mother of God was celebrated at 4 p.m. by Bishop Benedict Aleksiychuk and clergy from the Archeparchy of Philadelphia. Throughout the day, pilgrims also had an opportunity to see relics and other items on display, attend workshops on prayer, go to confession, and pray at Holy Trinity Chapel.
Every year we are blessed to have the Mothers in Prayer adding their voices with the recitation of the Rosary in Holy Trinity Chapel and at the Grotto. Youths from Plast and CYM led the procession into the auditorium for the Divine Liturgy. The freshman class of Saint Basil Academy processed with the Bishops, clergy and Sisters to the Grotto.
The Sisters are grateful to all who made this day possible in the planning and execution of the day. This day would not be possible without all who contributed with service, goods and financial donations. Their planning and execution was invaluable in creating a day that was significant, peaceful and holy. We implore God to send His blessings upon each one of our supporters and helpers, bringing them joy and peace.