Prepared by Stephanie Wochok

Pope's Visit to Philadelphia

In the afternoon of Wednesday, October 3, 1979, Pope John Paul II arrived at the Interna­tional Airport to begin his Pastoral visit to Philadelphia. There, he was officially greeted by an old friend of twenty years, Cardinal John Krol, Archbishop of Philadelphia; Governor of Pennsylvania, Dick Thornburgh; Mayor of Philadelphia - Frank Rizzo and over 2,000 school children who welcomed him with bou­quets of flowers, music and placards. The Pope was hurriedly taken to an open limousine and the entourage made its way up Broad Street where thousands lined the streets with banners, papal flags and balloons to greet and hopefully catch a glimpse of His Holiness, the Vicar of Christ. The limousine sped at 30 M.P.H.Q and although many waited hours, they did not get upset, were understanding and patient, know­ing that the Pope was detained in New York City by throngs of people, and therefore, was late in arriving in Philadelphia. Everyone was in a happy, serene mood.

The Pope was taken to SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral on the Parkway, where crowds overflowed from the Cathedral to the sidewalks and street, and was greeted by the Hierarchy and people.

He greeted those assembled "God Bless Philadelphia, City of Brotherly Love which is a symbol of freedom and fraternal relations." He said his greeting was "also a prayer that all Philadelphians would succeed in making the inner city and suburbs places where people are not strangers to each other." He then sang the Lord's Prayer in Latin, gave the benediction and was on his way with the hierarchy and dig­nitaries to Logan Circle, a short distance away. Upon arrival, the Pope was warmly greeted by the one million two hundred thousand persons, some of whom waited from early dawn for this moment, waving banners, papal flags, cheering clapping, clapping and cries of "Pope John Paul, Pope John Paul," it was such a happy festive greeting.

A large platform, Altar and Cross were constructed by the City that stood three stories high above Logan Circle with red carpeted stairs leading to the altar.

There were people of all faiths, white and black, it mattered not, everyone wanted to greet and see this great Man of God - leader of so many millions of Catholics!

The Hierarchy took their places on the plat­form and stood as the Pope slowly ascended the stairs. The Mass began and responses were sung by a Choir of more than 1,000 voices. In his homily, the Pope spoke of the meaning of "free­doms and that it can never be construed with­out relation to the truth as revealed by Christ," that freedom could never "be seen as a pretext for moral anarchy, for every moral, order must remain, linked to the truth."

Chosen to participate in the Offeratory procession and for this occasion were people from various ethnic groups. Among them was an active usher, Frank Wochok, from the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral who in Hutzul attire carried a Chalice to His Holiness. As he approached, he greeted the Pope with the Ukrainian traditional greeting, "Slava Isusu Christu" and the Pope replied, "Slava Na Veeka." Taking Mr. Wochok by the shoulders and looking at his attire stated-"Hutzul" and Mr. Wochok replied "Tak." As a token of re­membrance of this memorable occasion, Mr. Wochok received a blessed Mother of pearl rosary.

After the Offeratory was completed, the Pope began the ancient and solemn ritual of the Eucharist, 1,000 priests moved throughout the crowd of faithful bringing the Sacrament to them as the sky darkened.

Pope John Paul II administered Communion to 150 worshippers, who were escorted to the top of the red carpeted platform and who repre­sented students, handicapped, religious orders, area's oldest parishes and ethnic groups. Life­time Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral parishioner, Stephanie W ochok, dressed in "Hutzul" attire was most fortunate to receive the Holy Eucharist from the hands of the Vicar of Christ.

The Mass lasted two hours and as darkness fell over the still crowd, powerful lights illumi­nated the papal platform and area amid the silhouette of the trees.

It was a scene long to be remembered by those present, as the Mass came to a close, Pope blessing the people on all four sides of the plat­form and then the processional of Hierarchy to­gether with Pope John Paul II descended the steps, getting into the limousines, while people were clapping, to continue on their way to Car­dinal Krol's residence for dinner and then later a visit to St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in the Overbrook section of the City. Throngs of people awaited in that area to get a glimpse of His Holiness.

The next morning, October 4, 1979, the Pope visited the Shrine of St. John Neumann at St. Peter's Church, 5th & Girard Avenue. Before entering the Church, the Pope paused and blessed Teri LaBree, a Kengsington resident who has a spinal condition and has been crippled and confined to a wheel chair for 14 of 19 years.

The Pope received a great ovation; His Holi­ness quieted the people by placing his fingers to his lips. He then spoke to the people in Span­ish, lead them in the prayer, "Our Father" and left the Church and then a first in the History of the Ukrainian Catholic Church-A Pontiff visiting their Church-an honor - and historical event-a visit to the Ukrainian Catholic Cathe­dral!

Prior to the Papal visit North Franklin Street from Girard Ave. to Brown Street was decor­ated with banners of welcome, Papal flags, American and Ukrainian flags waving at the windows of the homes and buildings located in that area. Barricades were set along the sidewalks on each side of the Street from Poplar Street. During the week, newspaper reporters and some with TV cameras were acquiring much information about the Ukrainian Rite and Ukrainian Catholics. They also spent the night prior to His Holiness's visit on the Church grounds and area.   

Already, at 4:30 A.M. that morning people began congregating at the closed gate of the Cathedral on Eighth Street. The gate was opened at 6:00 A.M. and the throngs of people, children and even with babies filled the Cathe­dral to capacity (3,000) within an hour, so that by 7:00 A.M. the doors were closed, and hymns were sung by the Choir and people, all ready for the distinguished visitor.

Msgr. Robert Moskal, Rector of the Cathe­dral, together with his assistants, Rev. Thomas A. Sayuk and Rev. James Melnic, cross bearer, candle bearers and children dressed in Ukrain­ian attire, who were to greet the Pope, awaited his arrival. Persons who could not get inside the resplendent Cathedral lined the sidewalks and then on the one side of the front of the Cathedral, which was barricaded, there were persons in "Hutzul" attire and on the other side the Youth "Plast" and "S. U.M." in theirrespec­tive attire and representatives of organizations.

The red carpeting in the Cathedral was spread from the Altar up the main aisle to the rear and then down the steps to the sidewalk, then there were hundreds of white and yellow potted mums lined on the steps in front of the Iconos­tas. A large Ukrainian vase with poppies and wheat was placed on a small table which was covered with a Ukrainian embroidered cloth on each side of the steps leading to the Iconostas­main entrance.

Special barricade with artistic design was placed on each side of the pews of the main aisle from front to back. The Bishop's throne was especially gilded in gold by Christine Doch­wat, a well known artist who was in charge of Cathedral decorations. The Papal Coat of Arms, done in needlepoint by her mother, Emilia Dochwat, adorned the throne.

Everything that could have possibly been done to greet the Greatest Visitor - "Vicar of Christ" was completed. Special memorable booklets were printed, picture cards and buttons with the Pope's picture on it with a ribbon noted thereon "Welcome" were avail­able.

At 8:lOA.M. Cathedral carillons let all know that the Pontiff was on his way from St. Peter's Church and 10 minutes later he was warmly greeted, as he stepped out of the limousine by Msgr. Robert Moskal, Rector of the Cathedral, then proceeded to the entrance with other Hierarchy, there His Holiness blessing all was greeted by the children accepting a bouquet of roses, while the Choir sang "Blessed be the Name of the Lord," then the Papal Hymn was sung by all. The people then clapped - greet­ing his Holiness - what a tense, happy, and joy­ous occasion, so orderly and pious!

As the Pope came down the aisle, people on both sides with outstretched hands were touched by His Holiness.

Then, when the Pope came up the red car­peted stairs, approached the altar, knelt and prayed thereafter taking his particular place.

The Prayer, "Most Holy Virgin," (Presvyata Deevo) was sung by all, and again the Congregation clapped.

A warm and cordial greeting was extended to His Holiness by Msgr. Stephen Chehansky, Administrator "Sede Vacante" on behalf of all Ukrainian Catholics.

Pope John Paul II then greeted the congrega­tion in Ukrainian and addressed them in Ukrainian and English:

Dear brothers and sisters,

"Now in Christ Jesus...you are citizens like all the saints, and part of God's household. You are part of a building that has the apostles and prophets for its foundations, and Christ Jesus himself for its main cornerstone" (Eph. 2: 13, 19-20). With these words the Apostle Paul reminded the Ephesians of the tremendous blessing they had received in becoming members of the Church. And those words are still true today. You are part of the household of God. You, members of the Ukrainian tradi­tion, are part of a building that has the apostles and prophets for its foundations, and Christ Jesus himself for its main cornerstone. This has all occurred according to the providential plan of God.

Several years ago, my beloved predecessor, Paul VI, gave a stone from the tomb of Saint Peter to be included in the construction of this beautiful Cathedral dedicated to Mary Immaculate. Pope Paul intended this gift to be a visible symbol of the love and esteem of the Apostolic See of Rome for the Ukrainian Church. At the same time, this stone was meant to serve as a sign of the fidelity of the Ukrainian Church to the See of Peter. In this profound symbolic gesture, Paul VI was re-affirming the teaching of the Apostolic Paul in the letter to the Ephesians.

Today, as successor to Paul VI in the Chair of Saint Peter, I come to visit you in this magnificent new Cathedral. I am happy for this opportunity. I welcome the occasion to assure you, as universal pastor of the Church, that all who have inherited the Ukrainian tradition have an important and distinguished part to fulfill in the Catholic Church.

As history testifies, the Church developed a number of rites and traditions as in the course of time she spread from Jerusalem to the na­tions and took flesh in the language, culture and human traditions of the individual peoples who accepted the Gospel with open hearts. These various rites and traditions, far from being a sign of deviation, infidelity or disunity, were in fact unfailing proof of the presence of the Holy Spirit who continually renews and enriches the Church, the kingdom of Christ already present in mystery (cf. Lumen Gentium, 3).

The various traditions within the Church give expression to the multitude of ways the Gospel can take root and flower in the lives of God's people. They are living evidence of the richness of the Church. Each one, while united to all the others in the "same faith, the same sacraments and the same government" (Orien­talium Ecclesiarum, 2), is nevertheless mani­fested in its own liturgy, ecclesiastical disci­pline and spiritual patrimony. Each tradition combined particular artistic expressions and unique spiritual insights with an unparalleled lived experience of being faithful to Christ. It was in view of these considerations that the Second Vatican Council declared: "History, tradition, and numerous ecclesiastical institu­tions clearly manifest how much the universal Church is indebted to the Eastern Churches. Thus this sacred Synod not only honors this ecclesiastical and spiritual heritage with merited esteem and rightful praise, but also unhesitatingly looks upon it as the heritage of Christ's universal Church" (Orientalium Eccles­iarum, 5).

For many years, I have highly esteemed the Ukrainian people. I have known of the many sufferings and injustices you have endured. These have been and continue to be matters of great concern to me. I am also mindful of the struggles of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, throughout its history, to remain faith­ful to the Gospel and to be in union with the successor of Saint Peter. I cannot forget the countless Ukrainian martyrs, in ancient and more recent times, most of whose names are unknown, who gave up their lives rather than abandon their faith.. I mention these in order to show my profound esteem for the Ukrainian Church and its proved fidelity in suffering.

I also wish to mention those things which you have preserved as your special spiritual patrimony: the Slavonic liturgical language, the ecclesiastical music and the numerous forms of piety which have developed over the centuries and continue to nourish your lives. Your appreciation of these treasures of the Ukrainian tradition is demonstrated by the way that you have maintained your attachment with the Ukrainian Church and have con­tinued to live the faith according to its unique tradition.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, I want to recall in your presence the words Jesus prayed on the vigil of his death upon the cross: "Father...that they may be one" (Jn 17: 11). We must never forget this prayer; in fact we must continually search for still better ways to safe­guard and strengthen the bonds of union which unite us in the one Catholic Church.

Remember the words of Saint Paul: "you form part of a building that has the apostles and prophets for its foundations, and Christ Jesus himself for its main cornerstone" (Eph 2:20). The unity of this spiritual building, which is the Church, is preserved by fidelity to the cornerstone, who is Christ, and to the teach­ing of the apostles preserved and explained in the tradition of the Church. A real unity of doctrine binds us as one.

Catholic unity also entails recognition of the successor of Saint Peter and his ministry of strengthening and preserving intact the com­munion of the universal Church, while safe­guarding the existence of legitimate individual traditions within it. The Ukrainian Church, as well as the other Eastern Churches, has a right and duty, in accordance with the teach­ing of the Council (cf. Orientalium Ecc1esiarum, 5), to preserve its own ecclesiastical and spiritual patrimony. It is precisely because these individual traditions are also intended for the enrichment of the universal Church that the Apostolic See of Rome takes great care to pro­tect and foster each one. In turn, the ecclesial communities that follow these traditions are called to adhere with love and respect to certain particular forms of discipline which my pre­decessors and I, in fulfilling our pastoral re­sponsibility to the universal Church, have judged necessary for the well-being of the whole body of Christ.

To a great extent, our Catholic unity depends on mutual charity. Let us remember that the unity of the Church originated on the Cross of Christ, which broke down the barriers of sin and division and reconciled us with God and with one another. Jesus foretold this unify­ing act when he said: "...and I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself' (In 12:32). If we continue to imitate the love of Jesus, our S'avior, on the Cross, and if we persevere in love for one another, then we shall preserve the bonds of unity in the Church and witness the fulfillment of Jesus' prayer: "Father...that they may be one" (Jn. 17: 11).

As for the future, I entrust you to the protec­tion of Mary Immaculate, the Mother of God, the Mother of the Church. I know that you honor her with great devotion. This magnifi­cent Cathedral dedicated to the Immaculate Conception bears eloquent witness to your filial love. And for centuries, our Blessed Mother has been the strength of your people throughout their sufferings, and her loving intercession has been a cause of their joy.

            Continue to entrust yourselves to her protec­tion. Continue to be faithful to her son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of the world. And may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

The Apostolic Blessing was bestowed on all, thereafter, all sang in Ukrainian "For Many Years." As the processional proceeded to the door, the Choir sang "This is the Day that the Lord Hath Made."

Even though the security guards tried to have the processional leave more quickly, the Pope continued to touch the many outstretched hands and stopped to speak to the people out­side of the Cathedral. Being a little behind schedule, he was then finally whisked off to the Civic Center.

It was the pinnacle of happenings for the Ukrainian Catholics in Philadelphia, a thrilling and most happy experience to be remembered for a lifetime.

Arriving at the Civic Center, the Pope was greeted by a huge throng of people. Then making his way with the Hierarchy into the decorated large hall where 15,000 priests from every diocese in the country, nuns and semi­narians were present for the Holy Mass. Most of the nuns present wore traditional habits rather than the lay clothing that some orders had adopted to wear. The Pope made a strong statement-that priests must remain celibate, that priesthood was forever and that it must remain all male.

Thereafter, 15 young patients who were brought from the Children's Hospital to see His Holiness were blessed by him.

The Pope then left with the Hierarchy for the International airport, where over 2,000 school girls waited to sing him a joyous and thankful farewell. Prior to boarding the plane, the Pontiff shook hands with about 20 police officers who stood guard.

It was a memorable, historic October 3rd and 4th, 1979 in Philadelphia, that will long be remembered by the children and people that had the opportunity and were fortunate to touch him and get a glimpse of him. They were God's hours. How wonderful it would be if that feeling and understanding persisted among mankind.