ic Federation will host the 21st annual pilgrimage to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon, North Lipkey Road, on Sept. 14. The service will begin at 2:30 p.m. with the Novena of Saints Cyril and Methodius, followed by the sacraments of the anointing of the sick and penance.

Mass in Slovak will be celebrated at 3:30 p.m. with Father Mickler of St. Paul Monastery in Canfield as homilist. Dinner will follow in Cedars Hall at 5 p.m.

The annual event is meant to honor Our Lady of Sorrows, who is the patroness of Slovakia and Slovak-Americans. A special component of this year’s event will be the celebration of Father George Franko’s 90th birthday and the 65th anniversary of his ordination. Father Franko is the pastor emeritus of Holy Name of Jesus Church, one of the three Slovak ethnic churches now consolidated into Our Lady of Sorrows Parish. He initiated the pilgrimage in 1994 and has contributed many articles to publications on aspects of Slovak Catholic traditions.

The opening novena, anointing, penance and Mass are open to all. Tickets for the dinner are $15 ($6 for children 12 and under) and must be purchased in advance. Call Lenny Yurcho at 330-793-8064, Father Franko at 330-782-9126 or Tim Wagner at 330-747-3777.

- See more at: http://www.vindy.com/news/2014/jul/19/slovak-pilgrimage-to-national-shrine/#sthash.omFqk9OL.dp