Ukrainian Bishops in the United States Welcome Youth to Annual Pilgrimage “Hope in You, Lord: Youth Changing the World”
Tomorrow, June 12, the annual youth pilgrimage of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in the United States will begin at the Church of the Holy Protection of the Mother of God in Parma, Ohio, under the theme Hope in You, Lord: Youth Changing the World. Ukrainian bishops serving in the United States—Metropolitan Borys Gudziak, Bishop Paul Chomnycky, Bishop Venedykt Aleksiychuk, and Bishop Bohdan Danylo—will take part in the pilgrimage and eagerly anticipate the arrival of young participants.
This year’s pilgrimage will last three days and feature a program of spiritual enrichment, communal prayer, and reflection centered on the jubilee theme: the Year of Hope. A highlight of the gathering will be the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, presided over by the Most Rev. Bryan Bayda, head of the Patriarchal Commission for Youth of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.
As Bishop Bohdan Danylo emphasizes, the theme of this year’s pilgrimage closely aligns with Pope Francis’ message for the jubilee year, in which the Holy Father reflects on the words from the Letter to the Romans: “Hope does not disappoint.”
“We are all pilgrims of hope, and in these difficult times, we need it more than ever—in our personal lives, families, communities, and our prayerful longing for peace—both here in America and in Ukraine,” the bishop said in comments to the UGCC Department for Information.
One of the main themes the bishops plan to explore with the youth is the vocation and role of young people in today’s Church. According to Bishop Bohdan, it is through personal example that others are drawn to the faith. Christ calls young people to be apostles of the 21 st century—living witnesses of God’s love in their daily lives, in their families, in society, and at work.
Bishop Bohdan also highlighted the participation of newcomers from Ukraine, who accounted for 30 % of pilgrims in previous years. He recalled with gratitude how young Ukrainian families—forced to flee their homeland because of war—demonstrate deep spiritual maturity and a sincere desire to be part of the Church community.
“I was especially moved by the deep faith of these young families who left Ukraine. During our Bible study groups, there was no need to explain what Lectio Divina is—they already knew. But most importantly, their presence showed that being together and being with the Church is a real priority for them. I sincerely thank our priests in Ukraine who raised them this way,” Bishop Bohdan emphasized.
Last year, nearly 700 people participated in the pilgrimage. This year, organizers are preparing for even more—the kitchen is already planning to serve up to 1,000 people. Pilgrims are expected from all across the country—from California, Texas, and Florida to the central and eastern states.
“The very fact that young people choose to spend three days reflecting on Christ is already a powerful sign of hope,” says Bishop Bohdan. “My greatest joy will be to see the faces of those who, filled with the Holy Spirit, return home ready to witness to the risen Christ in their communities.”
According to the bishop, the Church in America is becoming a place where many young people feel free to be themselves, express their thoughts, and meet others who share their aspiration to build the future of the Ukrainian Church.
The UGCC Department for Information
