Over 115 faithful, clergy and religious of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of St. Josaphat in Parma and beyond took part on September 17, 2016 – Saturday after the Exaltation of the Holy Cross according to the new calendar – in the pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Holy Cross of Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church in Youngstown, Ohio.
The pilgrimage, led by Bishop Bohdan J. Danylo, Eparch of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of St. Josaphat in Parma and organized by Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church in Youngstown, Ohio under the leadership of the church’s pastor, Fr. Lubomyr Zhybak, provided an opportunity for the pilgrims to experience Christ’s mercy through the Eucharistic Celebration, Holy Mystery of Reconciliation, prayer and fellowship in the spirit of the Ukrainian Catholic faith. The theme of the pilgrimage was “The Cross of Christ as the Sign of the Lord’s Immeasurable Mercy to Us,” dedicated to the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy that Pope Francis established in the Universal Church between December 8, 2015 and November 20, 2016.
The pilgrimage began with a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy presided over by Bishop Bohdan Danylo and concelebrated by Chorbishop Michael Kail, Pastor of St. Maron’s Maronite Catholic Church in Youngstown, OH; Chorbishop Anthony Spinosa, Director of the Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in North Jackson, OH as well as numerous priests and deacons from the Ukrainian Catholic, Byzantine Catholic, and Roman Catholic Churches.
After the Liturgy, the pilgrims had an opportunity to share a delicious meal and fellowship with Bishop Bohdan, clergy and other fellow pilgrims in the parish’s social hall.
Following lunch, the pilgrims took part in the Moleben to the Merciful Christ, celebrated at the shrine and presided over by Bishop Bohdan together with the concelebrating clergy, that concluded the pilgrimage.
In addressing the pilgrims during the liturgical celebrations, Bishop Bohdan said that just like all of us present are standing under this shrine’s magnificent cross, being in the physical shadow of the cross, so too this physical shadow becomes a spiritual symbol of the protection of the Lord’s cross that Jesus Christ offers to those, who love Him and want to follow the Lord. The bishop also invited the pilgrims always to put into practice the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, especially during this extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. In his final spiritual exhortation, Bishop Bohdan entrusted the pilgrims and their families to the protection of the Mother of God of Yaroslav – the “Door of Mercy.”
During the pilgrimage, Bishop Bohdan likewise thanked all the pilgrims for coming on this spiritual journey. In particular, the hierarch thanked Fr. Lubomyr Zhybak and all of his parishioners for organizing the pilgrimage and for welcoming all the pilgrims to the parish’s shrine with open hearts and arms. In turn, Fr. Lubomyr, on behalf of his parishioners and himself, expressed his gratitude to Bishop Bohdan for leading this year’s pilgrimage as well as thanked all the pilgrims for participating in this spiritual event, wishing everyone to have a safe journey home.
During the pilgrimage, the participants also had an opportunity to partake in the Holy Mystery of Confession as well as to visit and pray in the parish church, located next to the shrine.
Sharing his thoughts on the pilgrimage, Fr. Lubomyr Zhybak said: “This pilgrimage was indeed a very beautiful and spiritually uplifting event. We were so happy to welcome all the pilgrims that have come to our shrine under the leadership of our shepherd, Bishop Bohdan, during this Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. One could see peace and joy on the pilgrims’ faces, which to me signified that they were truly able to experience our Lord’s mercy during this spiritual event, having been purified, rejuvenated and fortified in heart and soul.” “I hope we’ll be able to welcome everyone at our shrine many more times in the future,” concluded the pastor.
