By Mary Kowalyshyn, St. Anthony Parish, Rama, SK
The 79th Rama Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes was held Aug. 14-15, 2024, attracting over 700 pilgrims from near and far, including 12 priests, as well as the St. Philomena walking pilgrims (organized by Deacon Dave Hudy of Melville) who began their trek from Yorkton Aug. 11, arriving at the shrine the afternoon of Aug. 14, the Vigil of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Vigil of the Assumption Aug. 14
The pilgrimage events started at 3 p.m. Aug. 14 with the Chaplet of Divine Mercy led in song by Fr. Andrew Sowa OMI, parish priest at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Rama. Stations of the Cross followed, with many pilgrims, including the St. Philomena walking pilgrims. At 6 p.m., the St. Cecilia Choir from Saskatoon sang Marian hymns, followed by a cultural Filipino dance organized by Star Relatado of Yorkton. Private confessions were available for those who wished to receive this sacrament.
Prior to the evening Mass, Fr. Andrew Sowa sang several Marian songs, providing texts for all to sing along. The main celebrant and homilist for the Mass was Fr. Colin Roy of Humboldt. Ten con-celebrating priests from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon and from Regina joined in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Readers were Dianna Lee of Regina and Elaine Olson of Rama.
The international Living Rosary as well as a candlelight procession concluded the celebration at the shrine. Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament then took place in the church building until midnight.
The grounds were amazingly beautiful and serene when all had dispersed, leaving the flickering candles that embellished the beauty of the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes.
St. Cecilia choir from Saskatoon sing at the Rama Pilgrimage on Aug. 14 and 15. (Photo by Mary Kowalyshyn)
A traditional Filipino Catholic dance with flowers to honour the Blessed Virgin Mary was part of the pilgrimage. The dance group was organized by Star Relatado of Yorkton. (Photo by Mary Kowalyshyn)
Fr. Andrew Sowa, OM,I sang several Marian songs before the evening Mass on Aug. 14. (Photo by Mary Kowalyshyn)
Procession from church to grotto included cross bearer Michael Corcoran of Humboldt,and altar servers Samuel Korney, Dennis Corcoran and Skip Beatty of Sturgis, SK. (Photo by Mary Kowalyshyn)
Fr. Colin Roy (standing) of Humboldt presided at the evening Mass. Seated are (l-r) Fr. Daniel Malone and Fr. Jeffrey Stephaniuk. (Photo by Mary Kowalyshyn)
Placing candles (screenshot image from Rama Pilgrimage Facebook video).
Placing candles (screenshot image from Rama Pilgrimage Facebook video).
Solemnity of the Assumption Aug. 15:
The Solemnity of the Assumption Aug. 15 began at 8:30 a.m. with the sung morning devotional prayers to Mary in Polish led by Fr. Andrew Sowa. He was also the main celebrant and homilist for the Polish Mass which followed. Concelebrants were Fr. Jacek Wojdat of Poland, Fr. Daniel Malone of Swift Current, and Fr. Ryszard (Richard) Philiposki, SChr, of Saskatoon.
Mass in Polish was held Aug. 15 (l-r): Fr. Ryszard Philiposki of Saskatoon, Fr. Andrew Sowa, OMI of Rama, Fr. Jacek Wojdat of Poland, and Fr. Daniel Malone of Swift Current. (Photo by Mary Kowalyshyn)
Divine Liturgy in the Ukrainian Catholic Byzantine tradition followed, with Fr. Ivan Simko of Canora as main celebrant and homilist.
Fr. Ivan Simko of Canora celebrates Divine Liturgy in the Byzantine Rite at the Rama pilgrimage Aug. 15. (Photo by Mary Kowalyshyn)
The final Mass was celebrated at 11 a.m. Aug. 15, with Fr. Michal Pajak OMI of Melville as main celebrant and homilist, along with five concelebrating priests and Deacon Dave Hudy. Readers were Juliette Franke of Yorkton and Mary Kowalyshyn of Rama.
Deacon Dave Hudy proclaims the Gospel during the final Mass Aug. 15 at the Rama pilgrimage. (Photo by Mary Kowalyshyn)
Fr. Michal Pajak, OMI, of Melville was main celebrant at the final Mass Aug. 15. (Photo by Mary Kowalyshyn)
The final Mass of the 2024 Rama Pilgrimage. (Photo by Mary Kowalyshyn)
The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick , a blessing for plenary Indulgence, and blessing of religious articles were also part of the celebration.
Many thanks and words of appreciation were expressed and all were invited to the parish hall for lunch prepared by the women of St. Anthony Parish. All were also invited to return next year to celebrate the 80th Rama Pilgrimage Aug. 14-15, 2025.
Mass for the Unborn on Sunday, Aug. 18:
A few days after the pilgrimage, on Sunday, Aug. 18, the 11th Annual Mass for The Unborn was celebrated. A procession led by Fr. Andrew Sowa, OMI, stopped at the statue of St. Gianna Beretta Molla, Pro-life Saint on the grounds of St. Anthony Church at Rama. He said the prayer to St. Gianna, blessed the flowers and the participants, and invited all to a free lunch at the parish hall. (Photo by Mary Kowalyshyn)
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