Sisters of the Order of  St. Basil the Great   69th Annual Pilgrimage   August 29 - September 1, 2003

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Province

500 W. Main ST - Box 878 - Uniontown, PA 15401

Phone 724-438-8644 - Fax 724-438-8660

E-Mail: osbmolph@stargate.net

GLORY TO JESUS CHRIST!

Summer 2003

Each day so many daunting events in our world continue to intrude upon us. As our lives become more complex and uncertain, mistrust threatens our well-being and our very survival. Despite billions of dollars being spent on “homeland security”, few people really feel totally safe.

This sense of instability is not only external, but it also infringes upon our hearts, minds, and spirits. We begin to mistrust others and their intentions; we hesitate to smile at or greet our neighbors; we are reluctant to offer our services in our communities and churches.

This year, as we celebrate the 69th Annual Pilgrimage in honor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, we call upon Mary, the Mother of God, Wondrous Protection for the Whole World, to watch over us and to protect us. Our spiritual history is filled with stories of those who placed their trust and confidence in the Mother of God as they faced trying times, fearsome events, and overbearing struggles, and they were not disappointed.

In that same spirit of trust and confidence, we invite you to make the journey to Mount St. Macrina this Labor Day weekend (August 29 - September 1). Join the thousands of other pilgrims who will become living witnesses of community, connecting in common prayer and worship, giving honor to the Mother of God, asking her to place her protective veil over all of us so that, spiritually enriched, we may go forth strengthened and fortified in order to return home less fearful, more open and spiritually energized.

So many people tell us that they experience something that cannot be put into words each time they come to the Mount for these holy days of Pilgrimage. We truly believe that their experiences are sacred encounters with Our Lord and his most holy Mother. We trust that these same experiences await you here as well.

We look forward to welcoming you and pray that Mary will accompany you on your journey to Pilgrimage - and on your daily journey to her Son.

With our hope-filled prayers,

Sister Ruth Plante, OSBM,
and the Sisters of St. Basil