By Kiply Lukan Yaworski
An annual pilgrimage to the church and shrine at Blumenfeld, SK was held Sunday, June 9, marking the start of prairie pilgrimage season in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon.
Information about summer pilgrimages: LINK
Pilgrimage highlights include the blessing of the graves in the church cemetery; praying of the Rosary outdoors; children scattering flower petals in procession before celebration of Mass; as well as opportunities for confession; and a supper to conclude the day.
Bishop Mark Hagemoen presided at Mass, with area pastors Fr. Francis Appiah-Kubi (Fox Valley, Richmound), Fr. Prince Sarpong (Leader, Lancer, Liebenthal), Fr. John Abban-Bonsu (Kindersley, Eston, Marengo, Eatonia), and Fr. Conrad of Maple Creek (Regina Archdiocese).
Pilgrimage site
The church and pilgrimage site at Blumenfeld, SK overlooks serene countryside and fields. Located on the 10-acre site are the two-story, wood-framed church, Sts. Peter and Paul, built in 1915; a fieldstone grotto shrine, which features a replica “La Pieta” sculpture dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, built in 1936; a cemetery that remains in use; a memorial cairn constructed to commemorate the church’s 50th anniversary; outdoor Stations of the Cross; and hedgerows separating the site from adjoining farm fields
The history of the 109-year-old Sts. Peter and Paul Church building has featured contributions of parishioners through many decades, as well as the service and witness of Oblate priests and Ursuline sisters who served in the area.
Closed as an active parish in 1964, the Blumenfeld church has continued to serve as a gathering place for the region as the site of the annual pilgrimage to the shrine of Our Lady of the Sorrows that began during the Great Depression.
A volunteer committee (with membership from many surrounding communities) cares for the pilgrimage site, accepting donations for the upkeep of the church building and site. The historic church and pilgrimage site is open to touring visitors from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday afternoons throughout the summer.
(Fund-raising for the upkeep of the Blumenfeld church and pilgrimage site is ongoing. Donations can be sent to “Blumenfeld Heritage”, Box 104, Leader, SK S0N 1H0.)
