FIFTY FIFTH HOLY DORMITION PILGRIMAGE
The Immaculate Conception Province of the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate cordially invites you for the 55th annual Holy Dormition Pilgrimage in Sloatsburg, New York on August 8-9, 2009. This year’s pilgrimage is entitled “Behold Your Mother: Evangelization under the Protection of the Mother of God.” Sister Michele Yakymovitch, Provincial Superior, and all the Sisters, are anxiously awaiting all faithful to come and pray together during the pilgrimage. “The Dormition Pilgrimage has been a beautiful tradition of gathering all faithful for prayer. We are an oasis of Ukrainian Catholic religious life in America” said Sister Michele.
The Dormition Pilgrimage at Saint Mary’s Villa in Sloatsburg is the largest single annual gathering of Ukrainian Catholics in any of the eparchies of our Metropitan See. It is now 55 years that our Ukrainian Catholic faithful have been coming to this shrine of Our Lady to implore her intercession.
This year His Beatitude Lubomyr Cardinal Husar and the Synod of the Ukrainian Catholic Bishops decree that the team for our ministry and reflection ought to be the Evangelization. What better example of evangelization than Mother of God, said Father Bohdan J. Danylo, Spiritual Moderator of the Dormition Pilgrimage. Our Ukrainian Catholic faithful always in times of need came under the protection of Mother of God. The Dormition Pilgrimage has always been an important part of the spiritual journey of our people. Let us continue to pray for the Mother of God’s intercession and protection as we enter into the new time of evangelization and missionary activities among our people and those who wish to share Eastern spirituality with us.
From the Cross Christ entrusted us to his Mother. She is our refuge, and our hope. Let us gather once again this year for the Holy Dormition pilgrimage and pray that we may be send forth and under the protection of the Mother of God to preach the “Good News” to all the nations.
The two days Dormition pilgrimage program will include a youth gathering, blessing of water, healing services, Panahyda Memorial service for deceased pilgrims, Moleben services, Lamentation at the Bier of the Mother of God service, Vespers service, Matins, Akhatyst service, Stations of the Cross, and the Pontifical Divine Liturgy celebrated by all the Ukrainian Catholic Bishops in the US.
“We are encouraged by the large numbers of young Ukrainian pilgrims who come and pray with us. May this year's pilgrimage bring us closer to God through the protection and intersession of the Mother of God” said Sister Michele.
Mary, Mother of God pray for us!
Sister Michele Yakymovitch Father Bohdan J. Danylo
Provincial Superior Pilgrimage Spiritual Moderator