Sisters of St. Basil 92nd Annual Pilgrimage – Saturday, September 5 to Sunday, September 6, 2026. Location: Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great 500 West Main Street, Uniontown, PA 15401. See information and website below for details. NOTE: Download their app, MtStMacrina on Apple or GooglePlay. Also a link to Facebook (to watch some live streaming during the Pilgrimage), the ability to make donations, and more. https://www.facebook.com/sistersofstbasil.uniontown/
Pilgrimage Invitation: Pilgrimage-Invitation-2026-REV
Pilgrimage Information Site: https://sistersofstbasil.org/annual-pilgrimage
The caravan will leave on Thursday, September 3rd at 9 AM from the church parking lot and will return Monday September 7th, between 8 pm- 9pm. (typical return)
Please prayerfully consider your attendance this year! Join Fr Vasyl and many other parishioners who will be attending this event! If you could respond to the church email if going and when, and if you have room for extra people to carpool: Sts. Cyril and Methodius Byzantine Catholic Church <sscyrilmethodius@gmail.com>
We typically coordinate a gathering on Friday night at 6 pm before Compline to eat together (pizza and salad provided!) If you’d like to join us- please let us know how many as soon as you can so we know how much pizza to buy and salad to bring.
Please note: Curfew is 11:00 p.m.
Although casual attire is acceptable, Pilgrims are asked to be mindful of the religious nature of services and activities and dress appropriately. Thank you!
Housing:
https://sistersofstbasil.org/camping-hotels-motels
Ask if there is a rate for pilgrims when booking. Several of the hotels are within 1/2 mile to a mile away (walking distance, along the busy road that is without a sidewalk. There are crosswalks to cross the road. ) Parking is available each day on the grounds as well. Hotels are filling up fast!
Also, many people have been able to use Airbnb or Vrbo to find a place to stay as well. There are places up to 20 minutes away available.
Camping is available. No campfires are allowed. Showers and bathrooms are available. If you have an RV or camper- you will need to register. Campers with RV’s please contact Sr. Carol at 724-438-7149
Food on site: The “Light Lunch” service will be open, but will be very light on breakfast. Usual fare for lunch/dinner (halushki, pirohi, hot dogs, burgers, ethnic platters, hoagies), drinks, ice cream. Medovniki (honey cookies) will be available Saturday but often sell out by Sunday! BRING CASH
You may also bring your own food and snacks. A refillable water bottle (water filling stations are available) is highly recommended as is sunscreen and bug spray (especially if you are camping!) Also recommend rain gear and cash for buying candles for the processions.
*The annual Pilgrimage in honor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help is a special ministry of the Sisters of St. Basil. It has been held every Labor Day weekend since 1934. It was that year that the Sisters and pilgrims celebrated the blessing of the then newly acquired Monastery for the Sisters.
In 1935, Pope Pius XI gifted the Sisters with a beautiful icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help requesting that they spread devotion to the Theotokos under that title.
The Pilgrimage is a source of ongoing renewal and provides for the diverse spiritual needs of the many pilgrims who frequent this major unifying event in the life of the Byzantine Catholic Church. Its participants include clergy and faithful from across the country. The Pilgrimage offers the celebration of Divine Liturgy; opportunities for the Mystery of Reconciliation; Anointing of the Sick; Adult Enrichment Programs; activities for children, teens, young adults; and pastoral counseling.
The Pilgrimage is the oldest and largest Byzantine Catholic Pilgrimage in the United States. The Sisters welcome all people of faith to share in this special ministry and in its many blessings.
Pilgrimage Schedule
Friday, September 4
6:30 p.m.
Compline and Blessing of Water at the Lourdes Shrine
Saturday, September 5
8:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Mystery of Reconciliation (Confessions)
Location to be determined
Opening of the Pilgrimage
9:30 a.m.
Third Hour at the Shrine Altar
10:00 a.m.
Procession with the Icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help to the Shrine Altar, followed by Divine Liturgy
Welcome by Sister Susan Sisko, OSBM
1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Mystery of Reconciliation (Confessions)
Location to be determined
1:00 p.m.
Paraklesis to the Theotokos at the Shrine Altar
2:00 p.m.
- Enrichment Session at Trinity Center
- Children’s Pilgrimage at the Children’s Tent
- Orientation for Teens at the Prayer Garden
- Mystery of Anointing at the Shrine Altar
- Young Adult Pilgrimage at the Lourdes Tent
3:00 p.m.
Teen Pilgrimage at the Prayer Garden
4:00 p.m.
Vespers with Divine Liturgy at the Shrine Altar
7:30 p.m.
Procession to the Cemetery for Parastas
Following the Parastas:
- Teen Social
- Young Adult gathering at Trinity Center, followed by Compline in the Dormition Grotto
Sunday, September 6
7:30 a.m.
Matins at the Shrine Altar
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Mystery of Reconciliation (Confessions)
Location to be determined
9:00 a.m.
Divine Liturgy in Slavonic at the Shrine Altar
11:00 a.m.
Vocations Divine Liturgy at the Shrine Altar
12:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Mystery of Reconciliation (Confessions)
Location to be determined
1:00 p.m.
Children’s Procession with a special blessing for youth and young adults, beginning at the Lourdes Grotto and proceeding to the Shrine Altar
2:00 p.m.
- Enrichment Session at Trinity Center
- Bereavement Session at the Mausoleum
- Children’s Pilgrimage at the Children’s Tent
- Teen Pilgrimage at the Prayer Garden
- Young Adult Pilgrimage at the Lourdes Tent
- Mystery of Anointing at the Shrine Altar
3:45 p.m.
Procession to the Shrine Altar
4:00 p.m.
Divine Liturgy at the Shrine Altar
Words of gratitude by Sister Susan Sisko, OSBM
7:30 p.m.
Candlelight Procession, beginning and ending at the Shrine Altar
Closing of the Pilgrimage
Following the Candlelight Procession:
- Teen Social in the Prayer Garden area
- Young Adult Social at Trinity Center, followed by Compline in the Dormition Grotto
Monday, September 7
9:30 a.m.
Divine Liturgy at the Shrine Altar
Important Information for Families
Parents of minors under the age of 18 who will participate in supervised pilgrimage activities without a parent must complete and submit the following forms before the pilgrimage:
- Parental Consent and Waiver of Liability Form
- Medical Matters Form
The forms are available on the Sisters’ website. Completed forms may be submitted at the Welcome Desk in front of the House of Prayer. Additional guidelines and information will be available at the Information Desk.
