Mount St. Macrina pilgrimage to focus on hope
The theme for this year’s pilgrimage at Mount St. Macrina, “Theotokos, Icon of Hope,” is an appropriate one for current times, said Sister Barbara Jean Mihalchick, O.S.B.M.
Theotokos is the Greek word for Mother of God, and is one of the titles given to Jesus’ mother Mary.
“Mary is our instrument of hope. This brings us hope,” said Mihalchick. “We’re inviting people in to live that theme and to be carried by that for the coming year.”
This will be the 91st pilgrimage in honor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, another way Catholics refer to Mary. The pilgrimage, which starts today and ends on Sunday, is the largest among Ruthenian Byzantine Catholics in North America.
Since 1934, pilgrims from across the country have come to Mount St. Macrina on Route 40 in Uniontown to pray at the shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
The Sisters of St. Basil the Great, who host the pilgrimage, are an international order, serving in 13 countries. The ministry came to Uniontown when the sisters purchased land that was owned by coal baron J.V. Thompson in 1933. The estate became a monastery in 1934.
“This is our place to pray, and therefore part of gathering the people of God for prayer,” Mihalchick said.
There are many activities planned for the weekend, including the blessing of water at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Lourdes Shrine, confessions, a number of Masses and prayer services, and spiritual and church-related talks.
A candlelight procession takes place Sunday evening through a large part of the grounds.
The pilgrimage is welcoming to all ages, with special areas for children and teens. Children will take part in a procession on Sunday at 1 p.m.
“They all get a flower to take to Mary, and they get a blessing from the bishops,” Mihalchick said.
The pilgrimage ends with a divine liturgy at the Shrine Altar at 9:30 a.m. on Monday.
All are welcome to attend, and there is no charge.
Mihalchick said, “Anybody who is willing to respectfully participate is welcome. We think their hearts will be touched and they’ll want to do it again.”
A full schedule of events is available at sistersofstbasil.org/pilgrimage-program/.