Lenten 40 run again combines the physical and the spiritual on the eve of Holy Week

By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News

This year more “spiritual athletes” than ever rose to the challenge of the Lenten 40 relay run on a sunny Saturday before Holy Week, with 110 participants in 28 teams of 2-4 runners tackling four legs of a 41.9-km course through Saskatoon.

Encouraged to connect their physical exertion and sufferings to a reflection on the cross of Jesus Christ, the runners were again encouraged to combine the physical with the spiritual.

The run began and ended under the cross raised on the grounds of the Cathedral of the Holy Family in the days before Holy Week — and was preceded and followed by prayer, including of Stations of the Cross and Eucharistic adoration the night before, and an early morning Mass on the morning of the relay run.

Bishop Mark Hagemoen — who himself participated in the run — blessed participants before the start of the first leg of the relay, reminding them that Lenten 40 is a pilgrimage and not a race.

Following the 2025 run, Dominic Montpetit, one of the Lenten 40 founders and organizers, said the event is blessed by a great team of volunteers and the support of the bishop.

“It’s been really cool to see the Lenten 40 kilometre run grow every year.,” he said. “I’m excited to see what God has in store for next year and pray that we can continue to bless others through this event and help them enter into Holy Week remembering the passion of our Lord and the way of suffering.”

Photos:

Those who registered early enough received a Lenten 40 package. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Lenten 40 registration. Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

The Lenten 40 participants from Holy Cross Catholic High School in Saskatoon included both staff and students. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Lenten 40 registration. Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Denise Montpetit (right) is interviewed before the race by a Lenten 40 social media volunteer (see @Lenten_40 on Instagram). (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Lenten 40 participant and spiritual leader, Bishop Mark Hagemoen. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Bishop Mark Hagemoen speaks to participants. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Organizing committee member Dominic Montpetit and Bishop Mark Hagemoen address the participants before the relay run. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Dominic Montpetit, one of the Lenten 40 organizers, and Bishop Mark Hagemoen during an opening prayer of blessing on the morning of the relay run April 12 in Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Bishop Mark Hagemoen and Dominic Montpetit had the blessed crosses to runners of the first leg, to carry and then to pass on during the 41.9 km relay. (Photo by KIply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Starting line: Lenten 40 – April 13, 2025. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

First leg of the Lenten 40 – April 13, 2025. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Lenten 40 – April 13, 2025. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

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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.