Slovak group plans annual pilgrimage

NORTH JACKSON -- The Youngstown Chapter of the Slovak Catholic Federation will host the 12th annual pilgrimage in honor of Our Mother of Sorrows 3 p.m. Sept. 18 at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon, 2757 Lipkey Road.
The pilgrimage has become the main activity of the Slovak community of the Mahoning Valley, with out-of-town visitors coming to honor the Sorrowful Mother, patroness of Slovak people.
All devotions at the shrine, which is designated as a place of pilgrimage, will be in Slovak beginning with the recitation of the rosary. The outdoor "Way of the Cross" with Monsignor Cyril Adamko will follow. The sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) will be in Slovak and English in the chapel.
The singing of Slovak hymns will precede the 4 p.m. Slovak Mass.
The Rev. George M. Franko, spiritual advisor of the Youngstown Chapter of the Slovak Catholic Federation, will be the principal celebrant. Attending priests will concelebrate. The Rev. Daniel Cipar, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in East Palestine, will be the guest homilist.
After the liturgy, dinner will be served in the shrine's dinning hall. The event is sponsored by the SCF of Youngstown. Dinner tickets are $12.50, and must be purchased in advance from representatives of Slovak parishes, members of the SCF or by calling (330) 782-9126 or (330) 793-5338.