Our annual Eparchial Marian Pilgrimage was held on June 26, 2011, in Ancaster, ON, with some special elements to commemorate our Blessed Martyrs.

As every year, preparations began well in advance, through the hard work of our volunteers: the Knights of Columbus and Ukrainian Catholic Women's League, as well as the Sisters and staff of Mount Mary Retreat Centre. (Click on thumbnails to enlarge.)

Baking and cutting prosphora marks the beginning of preparations.		Sr. Nadia polishes the chalices.	The Knights of Columbus and Mount Mary staff preparing the food court.

UCWLC ladies preparing for the food court.	Mount Mary staff preparing kapusta and borshch.		Knights and staff taking chairs to the grounds.

UCWLC members prepare the food court.		Knights directing traffic for parking.		Ladies greeting pilgrims with medals.	Volunteers at info booth.

The day begins with an early morning Divine Liturgy for our volunteers, this year, celebrated by Fr. Andrii Lopatniuk, since many of them on duty during the day cannot attend the pontifical Divine Liturgy, our 'main event'. Shortly after that, the public events begin with the blessing of water, this year celebrated by Fr. Ivan Trush.

Fr. Lopatniuk celebrates an early Divine Liturgy for volunteers.		The early crowd for water blessing	Fr. Trush blesses the water	Fr. Trush blesses the people

Then the procession to the outdoor altar site is gathered, to open the Pontifical Divine Liturgy, this year celebrated by His Excellency Bishop John Pazak, CSsR, of Ss. Cyril and Methodius Slovak Eparchy in Canada. Also concelebrating were guest homilist, Rev. John Sianchuk, CSsR, of Saskatoon, SK, Rev. Roman Pankiw, of Mississauga, Rev. Roman Lahola, of Montreal, Rev. Andrij Figol, of Toronto, and Rev. Mykhajlo Pyniaha, of Ternopil.

Of course the purpose of Pilgrimage is conversion, for which the opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation is paramount. Several confessionals are set up throughout the grounds, where priests absolve the penitents throughout the Divine Liturgy, in preparation for their receiving of the Holy Eucharist.

Near the end of the Divine Liturgy, Fr. Roman Pankiw offered greetings on behalf of our own Eparch, Very Rev. Stephen Chmilar, who was unable to be present with us this year.

The Procession begins	Sr. Theresa Slota, SSMI, Provincial Superior, greets celebrants and all guests.		Our Eparchial Youth greet Bishop Pazak with bread and salt.

Confessions throughout the morning.

Sisters and Eparchial Youth at Liturgy		Fr. John Sianchuk preaches about the Martyrs		“Blahovist’ ” Choir, Holy Protection parish, Toronto	Fr. Roman Pankiw gives greetings

At the end of Divine Liturgy, Fr. Roman Pankiw, Fr. Roman Lahola and Sr. Anne Marie Kozakewich, SSMI, were called up for a special blessing, since each was celebrating a milestone in their religious lives. Fr. Pankiw celebrates his 25th Anniversary of Ordination to the priesthood, Fr. Lahola his 30th, and Sr. Anne Marie her 70th Anniversary as a Sister Servant of Mary Immaculate. This year, also, a special blessing was given to some of our local youth, who will be attending World Youth Day in Madrid, Spain, in August.

Following these blessings, the relics of Bl. Vasyl Velychkovsky, CSsR, of Bl. Nicholas Charnetskyj, CSsR, of Bl. Tarsykia Matskiv, SSMI, and of Bl. Josaphata Hordashevska, SSMI Co-foundress, were offered for veneration to the entire congregation of nearly 1000. The relics had been carried in procession, and held on the altar until the end of the Divine Liturgy, when this would take place as a special opportunity for the faithful to ask the intercession of our Blesseds. As the faithful proceeded to kiss the relics, hymns were provided by the Eparchial Youth, who were culminating their "Arise" program, a weekend of prayer and faith-enrichment, here at Vidpust.

Bishop Pazak blesses our clerical and religious jubilarians.		Bishop Pazak blesses the World Youth Day pilgrims.

Relics held ready for veneration.	The faithful come to venerate the relics.		Eparchial Youth sing theme song during veneration of relics.

After a break for lunch, a number of prayer events take place concurrently. In the school auditorium, pilgrims gather for prayers of healing, approaching individual clergy with their intentions, and receiving anointing. In the chapel, Eucharistic adoration is held, with communal worship before the Blessed Sacrament. In other areas, programs are held for children and youth.

Prayers for healing		Eucharistic Adoration

Childrens’ programs

Throughout the day, pilgrims have the opportunity to light a vigil candle for private prayer intentions, or to purchase religious articles and books. Vendors asked permission to offer the works of iconographer Marianna Savaryn, of Hamilton, and beadworker Oksana Ivanochko, of Ukraine. Throughout the day, pilgrims continue to drop in to the healing service or chapel for Eucharistic Adoration, or to pray before the icon of the foundress of the Sisters Servants, Blessed Josaphata Hordashevsky, leaving written notes of intentions, for which our Sisters will pray throughout the year. For those who wish, Stations of the Cross may be privately celebrated in the extended grounds.

Vigils lit outdoors		Religious goods		Works of Savaryn and Ivanochko

The day closes with three final events, all celebrated at the little Shrine of Our Lady of Love, of Ancaster: Moleben to the Mother of God, Benediction/Suplykatsia,Different in content from the Latin rite Benediction, the Suplykatsia is a brief devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, culminating with the blessing of the congregation with the Blessed Sacrament in a similar manner to that of the West. In pilgrimages of the Eastern Churches, this is considered the climax, of particular significance to those who have received the sacraments of reconciliation and Holy Eucharist. and the blessing of couples celebrating wedding anniversaries. Finally, before departure, our Bishop blesses the religious articles purchased by the pilgrims.

Moleben

Suplykatsia

Blessing of Anniversarians

Blessing of religious articles