RAMA, SASK. — Some 1,200 pilgrims attended the two-day celebration at the Our Lady of Lourdes grotto and shrine site on the grounds of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Rama, SK. Aug. 14 and 15, marking the Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s Assumption into heaven.
Participants this year included 55 pilgrims from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon who travelled by bus for the first day of the pilgrimage, and a group of St. Philomena Walking Pilgrimage participants, who joined the Rama event after four days of walking from Yorkton, SK.
“It was a beautiful trip and a beautiful day,” said Sr. Malou Tibayan of the Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity, a coordinator of Adult Faith in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon. The one-day bus pilgrimage from Saskatoon also stopped in Humboldt, and included time for prayer and community-building en route.
Pilgrimage program
“Pilgrims of Hope” Jubilee 2025 was the theme of the 80th annual Rama pilgrimage, echoing the declaration of the Holy Year by Pope Francis.
Pilgrimage events started on the Vigil of Mary’s Assumption Aug. 14 at 3 p.m. Prior to praying of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, the St. Philomena walking pilgrims arrived and were welcomed and commended on their trek from Yorkton which started on Aug. 11.
Fr. Andrew Sowa OMI started the pilgrimage celebrations with singing of the chaplet. Pilgrims then followed the Way of the Cross with Sowa leading prayers and song.
At 6 p.m. Aug. 14, the St. Cecilia Choir of Saskatoon sang songs of praise and worship under the direction of choir director Arlene (over 20 in number). They also provided music ministry at celebration of Mass on both days of the pilgrimage.
Many pilgrims took the opportunity to celebrate private confession throughout the evening before the Celebration of Holy Eucharist which began at 8 p.m. with Archbishop Donald Bolen of Regina presiding.
A procession started from the church led by banner carriers, with the church bell ringing and the choir singing The Lourdes “Ave Maria.”
The lengthy procession included Archbishop Bolen and Bishop Michael Smolinski, CSsR of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon, and 17 priests from Mississauga, ON, Regina, Saskatoon, Humboldt, North Battleford, Raymore, Swift Current, Watson, Wynyard, Yorkton and Canora as well as two deacons — one from Spruce Grove, AB and one from Regina — along with one seminarian from the diocese of Saskatoon, the St. Philomena walking pilgrims, cross bearer and altar servers. Fr. Andrew Sowa welcomed all those present.
Archbishop Bolen reminded those present for the Vigil Mass of the Assumption of Mary that this feast is not only a celebration of what God has done for Mary, but a promise of hope for each one of us, reported the Archdiocese of Regina in a recent news post.
“To be a pilgrim of hope means not how our world is doing, not how the nation is doing, not how our diocese is doing, not even how we ourselves are doing, but what God is doing and what God promises us. That’s where our hope lies,” said the archbishop.
At the conclusion of the Vigil Mass, Bolen noted that just as the shrine has been a place of prayer and hope for generations, so too the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary points us toward the hope God desires for each of us. “Mary has gone before us, the first of disciples, and she holds us before the Lord, cheering us on, encouraging us to faithfully follow her.”
An “International Living Rosary” followed celebration of Mass, whereby participants held a rosary bead and prayed the “Hail Mary” in the language of their choice.
Pilgrims then lit their candles and a candlelight procession began at the Angel Memorial dedicated to those from St. Anthony’s Parish who did not return while serving WW II. Fr. Sowa led a prayer and all proceeded up the hill making two more stops, the first at the “pieta” and the second at the statue of St. Joseph — again while the choir sang the Lourdes “Ave Maria” hymn.
The final stop was at the Angel Memorial dedicated to the pioneers who built the grotto.
Everyone was then invited to the church for Exposition and Adoration of The Blessed Sacrament. At the parish hall, hot dogs, pie and dessert were served.
Feast of the Assumption Aug. 15
The next day, the Feast of Mary’s Assumption, the pilgrimage began at 8:30 a.m. with Fr. Andrew Sowa singing the “Godzinki” (devotional Polish prayers to The Blessed Virgin Mary) followed by the celebration of Mass in Polish.
The Divine Liturgy in the Byzantine Rite in Ukrainian and English was celebrated at the shrine with Bishop Michael Smolinski CSsR (Eparchy of Saskatoon) as main celebrant. Concelebrants included Fr. Warren Dungen (Regina), Fr. Jeffrey Stephaniuk (Wynyard), Fr. Basil Malowany (Yorkton), and Fr. Ivan Simko (Canora).
The final Mass was celebrated by Fr. Pawel Ratajczak, OMI, from Mississauga, Ontario as Main Celebrant representing the Oblates of Assumption Province and the OMI Provincial Council. It was very fitting to have him and Sowa — both Oblates of Assumption Province — celebrate the important Feast Day of Mary’s Assumption at the pilgrimage.
In his homily, Ratajczak left the pilgrims with a message: “Through the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Father makes a beautiful temple of each of us. Never forget to ask for Our Lady’s intercession. If anyone can help us, it’s Mary.”
Concelebrating with Fr. Pawel Ratajczak were Sowa, Fr. Basil Malowany (Yorkton), Fr. Ivan Simko (Canora), Fr. Joe-Nelo Penino (Saskatoon) and Fr. Arnold Bolima (Saskatoon), as well as Deacon Wesley Turton (Spruce Grove, AB).
“Prior to the final blessing, many thank yous were expressed with an invitation to return next year. But the most sincere gratitude was extended to Fr. Andrew Sowa, OMI, pastor of St. Anthony Church, who played a major role in organizing the pilgrimage. It is through his guidance that the annual pilgrimage draws more pilgrims each year.” – Mary Kowalyshyn
The Blessing for Plenary Indulgence, Anointing of the Sick and blessing of religious articles concluded the pilgrimage. A roast beef dinner served by St. Anthony parishioners followed.
During the 2025 pilgrimage, Burns-Hanley Church Supplies from Regina was on site, providing an opportunity for purchasing religious articles. Candles, history books and souvenir plates were also available for purchase.
Mass for the Unborn Aug. 17
Several days later, on Sunday, Aug.17, the 12th Annual “Mass for The Unborn” was celebrated by Fr. Pawel Ratajczak OMI, and Fr. Andrew Sowa OMI.
The “Mass for The Unborn” is celebrated annually the first Sunday after the pilgrimage, initiated by the local Knights of Columbus after the arrival of the statue of St. Gianna Beretta Molla, pro-life saint. Knights of Columbus members lead the Rosary before Mass.
Normally a procession outside follows the Mass for the Unborn and all gather in the pro-life area of the shrine site, where a prayer for the intercession of St. Gianna Beretta Molla is said, and flowers placed at her statue. However, because of the pouring rain, this year the prayer was said in the church in front of the picture from her beatification and her relic. Everyone then was invited to the Parish Hall for a free roast beef lunch.
