Sisters of St. Basil the Great

Sisters of Saint Basil the Great, Uniontown, PA

Planning underway for 69th Annual Pilgrimage
2003 theme honors the Mother of God as Protectress of the World

Uniontown, PA - Before the first medovniki were baked and decorated, before buildings were cleaned and beds made, before flowers were planted and the lawn trimmed, preparation for the 69th Annual Pilgrimage in honor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help began in February with the dedication of the 2003 event to Mary, Wondrous Protection for the Whole World.

With the recent war in Iraq, the continual threat of terrorism and other conflicts erupting around the world, this year’s Pilgrimage will give participants the opportunity to place their anxieties and concerns under the protective mantle of the Most Holy Mother of God.

From August 29 to September 1, 2003, they can discover anew how to live with divine confidence in a humanly fragile world as she draws us ever closer to her Son.

Pilgrims will find some changes to the usual schedule this year. Most notably, there won’t be a Saturday evening Divine Liturgy at the cemetery. Instead, a 7:30 p.m. Parastas will be celebrated there, followed by the usual procession to the Shrine Altar for the Akathist.

Since many pilgrims come on Saturday expecting a Vigil Liturgy, a 5:00 p.m. Vespers with Liturgy has been scheduled at the Shrine Altar for that day.

Among other changes planned, the Saturday Moleben, traditionally designated for vocations the past few years, will be to the Mother of God. Also, a weekend Divine Liturgy is expected to be celebrated for the special intention of vocations.

Separate programs are being planned once again for Children, Teen and Young Adult pilgrims.

The popular enrichment sessions on parenting and bereavement will continue with the hope of adding other topics for adult education.

More information and a full schedule of liturgical and other activities will be available soon.

In the meantime, anyone who is interested in volunteering their time and efforts to help before, during and after the Pilgrimage are invited to contact Sister Jean Marie Cihota, OSBM, by calling or writing: Sisters of St. Basil, Mount St. Macrina, 500 W. Main Street, P.O. Box 878, Uniontown, Pa., 15401, 724-438-8644.

http://www.byzcath.org/ssb - The Sisters of St. Basil