SASKATOON, Sask. — A Jubilee Tree of Hope was dedicated and blessed on the grounds of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Saskatoon on the last day of May, to remember children who have died at any age, and to pray for those who are grieving their loss.
The prayer service led by Holy Spirit associate pastor Fr. Michael Magaji was held May 31 to bless the tree “as a sacred sign — a living tribute to the children who are no longer with us in body, but who remain rooted in our hearts and held in God’s eternal care.”
“May it be a symbol of remembrance and healing, its roots deep in the soil like our love for the children we mourn,” he prayed. “May its branches stretch to the heavens, reaching toward the promise of new life and reunion in Your kingdom…. Bless all who pass by this tree. Let it whisper to their hearts that no life is forgotten, no loss unseen, no tear wasted.”
After he blessed the tree, those present were invited to come forward to water the tree or show reverence in their own way.
The Saturday morning prayer service continued with prayers for all children who have died, for parents who carry the burden of losing a child, for families shattered by grief, and for communities of faith to “offer tenderness and support to those who mourn.”
The original Tree of Hope in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon was blessed in June 2014 on the grounds of Queen’s House of Retreat and Renewal in honour of all babies lost through miscarriage – a project initiated by a diocesan Miscarriage Awareness Committee.
With the sale of Queen’s House and its closing last year – which made the grounds and the original Tree of Hope less accessible – a local committee worked together to dedicate a new Jubilee Tree of Hope that could be visited freely, and expanded its meaning to include all who have lost a child at any stage of that child’s life, from before birth to adulthood.
Committee member Shannon Granger described the expanded vision of the Jubilee Tree of Hope in a recent reflection: “This tree will expand our mission—to remember and pray for all children lost at any stage: from pregnancy, infancy, childhood, teenage years, or adulthood—regardless of the cause, whether illness, accident, abortion, or suicide. All grieving parents are in need of God’s boundless healing, comfort and mercy.”
The tree is planted near an existing pro-life monument on the grounds near the entrance of Holy Spirit Parish at 114 Kingsmere Place, Saskatoon, which bears the quote: ”All human life from conception to natural death is a marvelous gift from God.” Nearby stone benches offer a place for rest and reflection.
“It is a most fitting location for the new tree,” said Granger.
The Jubilee Tree of Hope committee also included Tina Claxton, Shirley Hannan, Anne-Marie Hughes, and Andrew Novecosky. In addition to having support from Pastor Fr. Joseph Salihu and staff at Holy Spirit Parish, the project also received financial and other support from the Diocese of Saskatoon Catholic Foundation, the Knights of Columbus In Support of Life Committee, Dutch Growers, and Universal Church Supplies. A sign near the tree was created by Craig Doepker.
The dedication and blessing ceremony were followed by a reception in the parish hall.
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Kiply Lukan Yaworski is the communications coordinator for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon – rcdos.ca
Diocesan Communications and Catholic Saskatoon News are supported by gifts to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal: dscf.ca/baa.
