Eightieth Annual Pilgrimage of the Sisters of the Order of Saint Basil the Great

Hundreds of pilgrims gathered on the grounds of the Motherhouse of the Sisters of the Order of Saint Basil the Great on Sunday, October 2, 2011 to honor the Mother of God. Scores of children from Plast, SUM and Saint Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic School joined the Sisters, Clergy and Hierarchy in the procession and at the celebration of the Divine Liturgy.

This Eightieth Annual Pilgrimage was special since it was in commemoration of the Sister's 100th year in America. This was reflected in the theme: "Respecting the Past, Celebrating the Present, Welcoming the Future: 100 Years under the Protection of the Mother of God (Pokrov). The day began with the celebration of the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy concelebrated by Archbishop of Ukrainian Catholics in Philadelphia, Stefan Soroka, the Bishop of the Stamford Eparchy, Bishop Paul Chomnycky, OSBM and the Provincial of the Basilian Father, Reverend Philip Sandrick, OSBM. In his homily, Archbishop Soroka weaving in the Gospel story of Martha and Mary, the role of a pilgrim and the contribution the Sisters have made to the Ukrainian Church in America reminded us that...An important characteristic of every pilgrim is to celebrate gratitude. God has provided richly for Ukrainian Catholics in the USA throughout these past 100 years. Our Basilian Sisters have taught and guided our children, our youth, and our faithful. Huge unknown sacrifices have been made in their generous response to God's invitation to serve. We all are beneficiaries of their ministry, of their love.

His Grace further went on to inspire the pilgrims to...Choose to be vibrant teachers of faith. Speak to your children and your loved ones about your faith. Tell others of how important faith is for you personally. Celebrate your faith with your loved ones. We are all pilgrims in a shared journey of faith. We need one another.




A very touching moment occurred before the Divine Liturgy when Archbishop Stefan blessed the Centennial Icons of Saint Basil and Saint Macrina which were written by Daria Kulchytky. Simultaneously several members of SUM came forward to have the icons made by their hands blessed by the Archbishop. Sister Dorothy Ann Busowski, OSBM, Provincial of the Sisters of the Order of Saint Basil the Great, Jesus, Lover of Humanity Province welcomed the pilgrims with the invitation to visit four special sites on the grounds relating to the history of the Province. Each pilgrim received a "passport" which was to be stamped at each of the sites -- the Motherhouse, Macrina Hall (the original Motherhouse), Holy Trinity Chapel and the Shrine of Pochayev. Sister's words also included an act of forgiveness on the part of the Sisters with the following words: "The Sisters walk with you and pray with you today in gratitude for the many graces received throughout the 100 years. We also turn to you and ask your forgiveness if in any way you carry a hurt within your heart from something we may have done or failed to do for you. We likewise turn to you and forgive you as we enter into our next 100 years."

In the afternoon Very Rev. Ivan Demkiv and Very Rev. Archpriest Daniel Troyan spoke on three miraculous icons from Ukraine. The three icons highlighted by the talk were from Zarvanytsia, Pochaiv and Hoshiv.

The day concluded with a Moleben to the Mother of God celebrated by His Grace, Archbishop Soroka, clergy from the Archepachy and seminarians. Reverend Ihor Royik from Annunciation Parish delivered a touching homily on "Our Lady of Protection" (Pokrov). Pilgrims, along with the students from Saint Basil Academy who attended, were sent away with the traditional anointing of healing.

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