89th annual Pilgrimage in Honor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help at Mount St. Macrina in Uniontown, Pa.
By David Mayernik Jr.
Editor
Sister Sister Elaine Kisinko, OSBM, asked those gathered for the annual Children’s Procession during the 89th annual Pilgrimage in Honor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help at Mount St. Macrina in Uniontown, Pa. to recall this moment sometime in the future.
“Try to remember what you did as a part of the Pilgrimage. What you did together in walking in this Procession in order to give glory to Jesus and to honor His Mother,” she said.
“You did that not only by walking but by wearing the medal that was given to you and also by presenting the flower to Mary, Our Lady of Perpetual Health.’
This year’s Pilgrimage, with the theme, “Theotokos, Loving Protectress of All” held Sept. 1 to 4, enjoyed abundant sunshine and blue skies.
Before Archbishop William Skurla, Bishop Kurt Burnette and Bishop-elect Robert Pipta blessed those participating in the Children’s Procession at the Shrine Altar, Sister Elaine thanked them.
She told the faithful we all take many steps throughout our lifetimes and each one is important.
“Every step that you took was actually a prayer. A prayer in which you gave glory to God, Jesus Christ, and you honored His Mother, Our Lady of Perpetual Health. We are very grateful for doing that,” she said.
“In your lifetime, you’re going to take many steps. You have a long ways ahead of you. Some of those, you will walk; some of those, you will run; some of them you will hop, skip and jump; and some of them you might even dance. Even so, try to remember every step that you take is important. It’s important you take the right steps to keep you safe and to help you to do the good things that Jesus and His Mother always want you to do.”
The event holds the distinction of being the oldest and the largest Byzantine Catholic Pilgrimage in the country.
On Sept. 3, 1934 — Labor Day — about 3,000 faithful came by trains, chartered buses and cars for the blessing of the newly acquired home of the Sisters at Mount St. Macrina.
Many had gathered at St. John church on the other side of town, and they came in procession through the city of Uniontown carrying banners. Forty-two priests joined Bishop Basil Takach in the Divine Liturgy preceding the blessing.
Bishop Basil, with the permission of the Holy See and the enthusiastic support of the Sisters, decided to hold annual pilgrimages at Mount St. Macrina.
This would also provide an opportunity for spreading devotion to the Mother of God under her title as Our Lady of Perpetual Help, as Holy Father Pius XI requested of the Sisters.
