Rain doesn’t keep faithful from pilgrimage
Andrew Regalla of Lycippus, a member of St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church, looks over the posters under his umbrella as he prepares to attend Monday's Divine Liturgay during the 77th annual pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help at Mount St. Macrina near Uniontown.
The Very Rev. Eugene Yackanich, celebrant of the Divine Liturgy Monday prays during the post-pilgrimage program held indoors because of inclement weather at Mount St. Macrina near Uniontown. Yackanich is the administrator of the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh. The 77th annual pilgrimage was held Sept. 3-4 with a post-pilgrimage liturgy Monday.
Ed Cope
Left: Mary Shutok of Uniontown prays during Monday鈥檚 Divine Liturgy held indoors for the closing of the 77th annual Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help at Mount St. Macrina. Above: Andrew Regalla of Lycippus looks over the posters under his umbrella as he prepares to attend Monday鈥檚 Divine Liturgy.
090611mt macrina liturgy3ec Inclement weather didn't hamper the spirits of pilgrims attending the 77th annual pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Monday at Mount St. Macrina near Uniontown. These pilgrims head under an umbrella for the Divine Liturgy that was held in indoors.
As the voices of the pilgrims reverberated off the walls of the former Thompson mansion stable, it was clear the rain was not going to keep the hundreds of faithful away from bidding a fond farewell to this year鈥檚 pilgrimage at Mount St. Macrina.
During the past 77 years, the Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great have welcomed the devoted to the annual pilgrimage. For many pilgrims, this annual event has become a tradition that they look forward to year after year.
John Michel, of Chicago, Ill., drove 535 miles for his 25th pilgrimage with his son, Lucas Michel who was making his 13th journey. 鈥淚t is just like anything you enjoy. You look forward to coming back because you really enjoy it,鈥� explained John Michel.
Mo Durkot of Youngstown, Ohio, who was attending the pilgrimage with her mother Martha Durkot also of Youngstown, has been a faithful visitor. She has been attending for the past 35 years and looks forward to going home with more spiritual enlightenment. 鈥淚t is a wonderful, spiritual experience,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t is also great to see old friends and to enjoy the beautiful grounds.鈥�
On Sunday, the pilgrimage hosted a plethora of special events including a Slavonic Divine Liturgy, mystery of anointing, mystery of reconciliation, a children鈥檚 procession, children鈥檚 and teen pilgrimages, a hierarchical Divine Liturgy and candlelight procession.
Even though the pilgrimage concluded on Sunday evening with a candlelight procession, many gathered for the post-pilgrimage program on Monday morning which included a Divine Liturgy celebrated by the Very Rev. Eugene Yackanich, administrator of the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh.
Homilist Father Joseph Kapusnak of St. Stephen Byzantine Catholic Church in Leisenring, Pa., thanked those pilgrims who decided to stay for the final Divine Liturgy and equated the conclusion to a sunset.
鈥淗ave you ever watched the sun set?鈥� he asked. 鈥淭here is such beauty and harmony and colors. After the sun sets, people usually leave. But, there is a time to linger called the afterglow. This morning, we are all in the afterglow. We should savor these last moments of the pilgrimage.鈥�
As everyone departs Mount St. Macrina and returns to their homes and their daily life, Kapusnak, encouraged people to remember that God is with them especially when times get difficult.
鈥淪ometimes we see things falling apart and we say when will it end and get better. Who do you ask? God. Who gives us strength, hope and trust? God,鈥� he said.
Kapusnak related the story of Zachary and Elizabeth who wanted a child for many years, but was barren until God granted her wish with the birth of Saint John the Baptist. 鈥淩emember Zachary and Elizabeth, a man and a woman who lived in faith and trust,鈥� he said.
鈥淚t is a story of God鈥檚 plan of salvation coming to us. Let us go forth in the name of the Lord to bring that peace, to bring that light and to bring that faith.鈥�