Photos by Crystal Bosch and Jim Dietrich
Catholic Saskatoon News
Parishioners from across the Eatonia deanery and beyond gathered on Pentecost Sunday, June 8, 2025, in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon for the annual pilgrimage to the historic church of Sts. Peter and Paul and the shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows at Blumenfeld, SK.
Sts. Peter and Paul Church at Blumenfeld was constructed in 1915, and the Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows was established on the church site during the Great Depression. (Photo by Crystal Bosch)
Opening the diocese’s summer season of prairie pilgrimages in this Jubilee Year with its theme “Pilgrims of Hope,” the Blumenfeld pilgrimage included opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction, praying of the Rosary, and the Stations of the Cross.
Anna Maria Rajchyba led the Rosary and Crystal Bosch led the Stations of the Cross.
Anna Maria Rajchyba, 87, led the Rosary. She was baptized in Sts. Peter and Paul Church and has only missed two pilgrimages over the past 87 years. (Photo by Crystal Bosch)
Mass was celebrated in the historic Sts. Peter and Paul Church rather than at the outdoor grotto this year, because of windy conditions. Pilgrimage board president Daryl Tumbach was commentator and master of ceremonies.
Celebrants were Fr. Prince Owusu Sarpong, pastor of Little Flower Parish, Leader, St. Mary Parish, Fox Valley, St. Mary Parish, Richmound, and Sacred Heart Parish, Liebenthal; Fr. Francis Appiah-Kubi, pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Kindersley, Sacred Heart Parish, Marengo, Sacred Heart Parish, Eston, and St. Joseph Parish, Eatonia; Fr. Daniel Malone, parochial vicar at Christ the Redeemer Parish, Swift Current; and Fr. Conrad Chidi Emerenini, administrator at St. Lawrence Parish, Maple Creek.
Deacon Bill Thibault, Fr. Francis Appiah-Kubi and Fr. Prince Owusu Sarpong during Pentecost Sunday Mass at the 2025 Blumenfeld pilgrimage to the historic Sts. Peter and Paul Church and Our Lady of Sorrows shrine. (Photo by Crystal Bosch)
Deacon Bill Thibault of Maple Creek also provided ministry during the Mass, along with altar servers from the Dietrich and Hoffart families.
Readers at Mass were Mark Hudec of Fox Valley, and Rita Thorburn of Liebenthal. Daryl Tumbach led the prayers of the faithful.
Music ministry was provided by the team from Little Flower Parish, Leader: Karri Wagman, Dustin Heatcoat, Jim Dietrich, and Brenda Helman. A reflection song was sung a capella by the great-grandaughters of the late Richard Hoffart, who is buried in the Blumenfeld cemetery.
Wayne and Charissa Bosch and their children Gabrielle and Noah of Fox Valley brought forward the gifts at the Offertory.
Pilgrims gathered in the historic Sts. Peter and Paul Church for the annual pilgrimage June 8. The Blumenfeld site will also be open to visitors from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays, from July 6 to Sept. 1. (Photo by Crystal Bosch)
Some 225 attended this year’s pilgrimage, which concluded with supper prepared by members of the Fox Valley parish, led by board member Kendra Volk.
“The Pilgrimage turnout was so very amazing: approximately 225 parishioners, four priests and one deacon! Doubled in attendance, all of the way around. How much better can we ask for? God is good!” said Volk.
Blumenfeld is one of the Jubilee 2025 sacred sites identified by Bishop Mark Hagemoen where visitors who fulfill the conditions laid out in Catholic teaching can obtain a Jubilee Indulgence this year. The historic church and pilgrimage site is open to visitors from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday afternoons throughout the summer, from July 6 to Sept. 1.
Pilgrimage site
The church and pilgrimage site at Blumenfeld 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 110-year-old Sts. Peter and Paul Church building includes the 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 that began during the Great Depression. The Blumenfeld church and shrine was declared a Heritage Site in 1982.
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.
“We have had a very successful response on the cemetery fundraiser. Medicine Hat Monumental has begun the restoration and it is looking amazing already,” said committee member Kendra Volk. “Our search is ongoing to find descendants of our loved ones buried here because some headstones need to be replaced due to weathering.”
Building upkeep is funded entirely by donations and fund-raisers she noted. “Right now we are selling tickets for a stained glass window in an original Blumenfeld basement window frame. It was designed and created and donated by Lyle Guckert of Oyen, AB. (his father is Frank of Leader, SK) .”
Stained glass artwork of the Blumenfeld church made and donated by Lyle Guckert of Oyen. Tickets for the artwork are on sale right now. (Photo by Crystal Bosch)
Fund-raising for the upkeep of the Blumenfeld church, cemetery, and pilgrimage site is ongoing. Donations can be sent to “Blumenfeld Heritage”, Box 104, Leader, SK S0N 1H0.
Photos
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament was part of the Blumenfeld Pilgrimage on Pentecost Sunday. (Photo by Crystal Bosch)
The Easter candle at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Blumenfeld on Pentecost Sunday. (Photo by Crystal Bosch)
Pilgrims from throughout the area attended the 2025 pilgrimage at Blumenfeld, held on Pentecost Sunday, June 8. (Photo by Crystal Bosch)
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 that began during the Great Depression. (Photo by Crystal Bosch)
Pilgrims gather to pray the Stations of the Cross at the Blumenfeld pilgrimage. (Photo by Jim Dietrich)
Altar servers from the Dietrich and Hoffart families and Lane Gill (holding the statue of Mary), with prayer leader Crystal Bosch during the outdoor Stations of the Cross that are part of the annual Blumenfeld pilgrimage. (Photo by Jim Dietrich)
Outdoor Stations of the Cross during the Blumenfeld pilgrimage. (Photo by Jim Dietrich)
Pilgrims again gathered for the annual Blumenfeld pilgrimage June 8: the historic shrine is one of the sacred sites identified by Bishop Mark Hagemoen for pilgrims to visit as part of obtaining a Jubilee indulgence this year. (Photo by Jim Dietrich)
Altar servers lead the procession as pilgrims pray at the Blumenfeld pilgrimage. (Photo by Jim Dietrich)
(Photo by Crystal Bosch)
Fr. Prince Sarpong incenses the Blessed Sacrament. (Photo by Crystal Bosch)
Blessing those assembled with the Blessed Sacrament before Mass. (Photo by Crystal Bosch)
Fr. Prince Sarpong offers the Benediction. (Photo by Crystal Bosch)
Pilgrims were invited to sign the guest book at Sts. Peter and Paul Church. (Photo by Crystal Bosch)
Daryl Tumbach welcomed pilgrims and offered opening remarks. (Photo by Crystal Bosch)
Opening procession of Mass during the 2025 Blumenfeld pilgrimage. (Photo by Crystal Bosch)
(Photo by Crystal Bosch)
Deacon Bill Thibault, Fr. Francis Appiah-Kubi, and Fr. Prince Owusu Sarpong (l-r). (Photo by Crystal Bosch)
Mark Hudec proclaimed the first reading. (Photo by Crystal Bosch)
Rita Thorburn proclaimed the second reading. (Photo by Crystal Bosch)
Dustin Heatcoat and Jim Dietrich (l-r) were part of the Leader parish team providing music ministry at the pilgrimage. (Photo by Crystal Bosch)
(Photo by Crystal Bosch)
Deacon Bill Thibault of Maple Creek proclaims the Gospel for Pentecost Sunday. (Photo by Crystal Bosch)
Fr. Prince Owusu Sarpong, pastor of parishes at Fox Valley, Leader, Liebenthal, and Richmound, gave the homily. (Photo by Crystal Bosch)
(Photo by Crystal Bosch)
Deacon Bill Thibault, Fr. Francis Appiah-Kubi, and Fr. Prince Sarpong (l-r). (Photo by Crystal Bosch)
Karri Wagman, Dustin Heatcoat, Jim Dietrich, and Brenda Helman of Little Flower Parish, Leader, provide music ministry for the pilgrimage Mass. (Photo by Crystal Bosch)
Wayne and Charissa Bosch and their children Gabrielle and Noah of Fox Valley bring forward the gifts. (Photo by Crystal Bosch)
Fr. Francis Appiah-Kubi accepts the gifts brought up by the Bosch family of Fox Valley. (Photo by Crystal Bosch)
(Photo by Crystal Bosch)
Blessing the gift bearers during the Offertory. (Photo by Crystal Bosch)
(Photo by Crystal Bosch)
(Photo by Crystal Bosch)
(Photo by Crystal Bosch)
(Photo by Crystal Bosch)
(Photo by Crystal Bosch)
Fr. Francis Appiah-Kubi and Fr. Prince Sarpong during the Eucharistic prayer. (Photo by Crystal Bosch)
Fr. Prince Sarpong and Fr. Daniel Malone of Swift Current during the Eucharistic prayer. (Photo by Crystal Bosch)
Fr. Prince Sarpong and Fr. Conrad Chidi Emerenini of Maple Creek during the Eucharistic prayer. (Photo by Crystal Bosch)
Deacon Bill Thibault, Fr. Francis Appiah-Kubi, and Fr. Prince Sarpong during celebration of the Eucharist at the Blumenfeld pilgrimage June 8, 2025. (Photo by Crystal Bosch)
Eucharistic celebration (l-r) Deacon Bill Thibault, Fr. Francis Appiah-Kubi, Fr. Prince Sarpong, Fr. Conrad Chidi-Emerenini, and Fr. Daniel Malone. (Photo by Crystal Bosch)
(Photo by Crystal Bosch)
Holy Communion during the 2025 Blumenfeld pilgrimage. (Photo by Crystal Bosch)
Pilgrims gathered in the historic Sts. Peter and Paul Church for the annual pilgrimage June 8. The Blumenfeld site will also be open to visitors from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays, from July 6 to Sept. 1. (Photo by Crystal Bosch)
Daryl Tumbach of the Blumenfeld pilgrimage committee. (Photo by Crystal Bosch)
The final blessing. (Photo by Crystal Bosch)
Recessional procession. (Photo by Crystal Bosch)
Recessional procession. (Photo by Crystal Bosch)
Recessional procession. (Photo by Crystal Bosch)
Recessional procession. (Photo by Crystal Bosch)
Karri Wagman was part of the team from Leader who led the music ministry at the 2025 Blumenfeld pilgrimage. (Photo by Crystal Bosch)
Deacon Bill Thibault of Maple Creek joined the 2025 pilgrimage celebration. (Photo by Crystal Bosch)
Altar servers from the Dietrich family at the 2025 Blumenfeld pilgrimage. (Photo by Crystal Bosch)
Supper concluded the pilgrimage celebration. (Photo by Crystal Bosch)
The pilgrimage would-up with a supper. (Photo by Crystal Bosch)
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