St. Virgil Parish in Morris Plains is hosting a visit from the Ukrainian Cross of Gratitude, which started on Monday, Feb. 17, and will continue until Sunday, March 2. It’s the 16-foot tall, 800-pound pilgrim crucifix’s first visit to the Paterson Diocese.
Faithful everywhere are invited to St. Virgil’s Church for a visit, which will include opportunities to venerate the Cross of Gratitude. They also will be able to listen to Vitally Sobolivsky, who designed the cross in answer to a call God placed on his heart and leads the mission pilgrimage. The crucifix traveled to 46 European capitals, Washington, D.C., and New York City, and is now touring the United States. The mission of the pilgrimage to the world’s capitals is to unite all nations into one family under his cross.
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St. Virgil Parish will be open for the veneration of the Cross of Gratitude every day until Sunday, March 2, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The remaining schedule of events during the visit is as follows:
- Thursday, Feb. 20: 6 to 8 p.m. confession; 6:30 p.m. Divine Mercy Chaplet.
- Friday, Feb. 21: 7 p.m. “The Cross in Many Forms and Shapes” adoration service.
- Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 22 and 23. Sobolivsky’s remarks at all Masses.
- Sunday, Feb. 23: 7 p.m. Night of Praise with music and reflections by St. Virgil’s Youth Ministry.
- Monday, Feb. 24: 7 p.m. Stations of the Cross led by Knights of Columbus Council 3496.
- Tuesday, Feb. 25: Seven Sorrows Rosary after daily Mass.
- Thursday, Feb. 27: 6 to 8 p.m. confession; 6:30 p.m. Divine Mercy Chaplet.
- Friday, Feb. 28, 7 p.m. “Beneath the Cross adoration and prayer service.
Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, on Feb. 17, blessed the Cross of Gratitude during a Mass of Installation he celebrated for the start of its visit to St. Virgil. Father Lukasz Wnuk, St. Virgil’s administrator, and Father Christopher Muldoon, a weekend assistant at the parish, concelebrated the Mass with Bishop Sweeney. Deacon Sal Mazzoccoli and Deacon Joe Quinn assisted with the liturgy.
On March 10, 2004, St. Pope John Paul II blessed the initiators of this mission in the Vatican. His successor, Pope Benedict XVI, also consecrated the cross in 2006 during his pilgrimage in Krakow. Pope Francis blessed the cross and all those who led the evangelization action in 2016.
The global pilgrimage is also meant to prepare the faithful for the Jubilee of the 2000th anniversary of Jesus’ crucifixion, death, and resurrection (33-2033). The cross is later scheduled to travel to South America, Asia, Africa, Indonesia, and Australia.
For further information, call St. Virgil Parish at 973-538-1418 or visit St. Virgil’s website.
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
