Fourth annual Lenten40 relay run continues pilgrimage spirit

By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News

Beginning and ending under the large crucifix set up a few days before on the grounds of the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon, some 90 runners took part in the 2026 Lenten40 relay run on March 28, the day before Palm Sunday.

Runners start the Lenten40 on the morning of March 28, setting out on the first leg of a 41.9-km course from the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon, through the river valley, past St. Paul Co-Cathedral in downtown Saskatoon, and back again. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

When Bishop Mark Hagemoen speaks about the Lenten40 run, he stresses that it is not a race or a competition or a marathon. Instead, he explains that the event is a pilgrimage — to be framed in prayer and tackled as a spiritual exercise, connected to Lenten sacrifice and grounded in meditation upon the saving passion of Jesus Christ.

“The hope is that the Lenten40 is a time of spiritual recollection for all the participants, a time when we think about what Jesus has done for on his journey – his pilgrimage – to the holy cross, by which he saved the world,” says Saskatoon’s bishop, who participated as a runner in the fourth annual event.

The bishop was also again on hand to lead Stations of the Cross the night before, and to celebrate Holy Eucharist on the morning of the pilgrimage run, as well as blessing the crosses that the runners carry in the relay from one leg to the next. In addition he leads both the opening and closing prayer on the event day.

Bishop Hagemoen has also laid out themes for each of the four legs of the 41.0 course, based on the mysteries of the rosary, which are posted on the event website at www.lenten40.com

The Lenten40 pilgrimage begins and ends with prayer led by Bishop Mark Hagemoen. (Photo by Hannah Berry, courtesy of Lenten40)

Run becomes part of Lenten journey

“It has been really special to work with the bishop on this event each year,” says Lenten40 organizer Dominic Montpetit, describing how the relay has become an annual Lenten discipline for many of those who participate.

“Many of the participants will share different stories about the run and the impact – and every year a lot of people come back and are doing it again, or bringing other friends or family into it,” he says.

Organizer Dominic Montpetit welcomes particpants to the fourth annual Lenten40 pilgrimage relay March 28 in Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

“I do think it’s a really good way to enter into Holy Week. It becomes part of people’s Lent every year, because it is not just the race, you have to prepare before, you have to do some training… and it is in their mind what they are training towards,” says Montpetit. “It is not just a run, but again it is a pilgrimage, a call to enter into the way of suffering. It is not an easy run, with the conditions and some of the distances.”

Participants appreciate the opportunities that the Lenten40 provides, he adds. “I just heard feedback from somebody who said what a blessing it is for him to be able to run the Lenten40 with his kids the last couple of years, and how he never thought he would be able to run this far in his life. It has been a cool experience for their family to do it together.”

Montpetit observes that as runners finish each leg there are moments of joy and satisfaction after the great effort — a concrete reflection of the Paschal Mystery, in which Good Friday is followed by the Easter resurrection.

“People really enjoy having the opportunity to do this as a community – to do this in our diocese together with family and friends, and to enter into that Lenten season together. “

Lenten40 participants from Holy Cross Catholic High School in Saskatoon stand with Bishop Mark Hagemoen (right) before the pilgrimage run. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Related: Easter message from Bishop Mark Hagemoen – LINK
Easter celebrations in parishes across the diocese – LINK

Montpetit also stresses the vital importance of the volunteers who provide support with all aspects of the event.

“We could not do this event without all the volunteers …there is lots of support from family members and friends,” says Montpetit. About 25 volunteers were on hand this year, stepping up as trail guides, marking the course, manning the check points on each of the four legs, working as shuttle divers, assisting with photography, social media, and managing website design, he notes.

Montpetit says that if anyone is interested in getting involved in any way, the next Lenten40 falls on Saturday, March 20, 2027. Those interested can contact lenten40km@gmail.com for information.

“We want to grow this as much as we can and impact as many people as we can. We really do this to bless others and have them experience this pilgrimage,” he says.

Photos

Participants gather in the hall at the Cathedral of the Holy Family before the start of Lenten40. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Preparing for the Lenten40 March 28. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Bishop Hagemoen provided practical information about the Lenten40 course before leading participants in prayer. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Organizer Dominic Montpetit hands a cross to a Lenten40 participant as Bishop Hagemoen prays a blessing. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

A Lenten40 participant about to set off on Leg 1 of the 41.9-km course accepts a cross from Dominic Montpetit as Bishop Mark Hagemoen prays a blessing. Some 90 runners and 25 volunteers participated in this year’s Lenten40 March 28. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Leg 1 runners were presented with a cross to carry in the pilgrimage relay, blessed by Bishop Mark Hagemoen. (Photo by Hannah Berry, Lenten40)

Bishop Mark Hagemon leads a prayer before the start of the Lenten40. (Photo by Hannah Berry, Lenten40)

Lenten40 organizer Dominic Montpetit speaks at the start of the event. (Photo by Hannah Berry, Lenten40)

Members of the Catholic Women’s League team prepare for the Lenten40. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Sr. Marta Piano (left) and Sr. Sol Abala (in pink) of the Verbum Dei Misisonary Fraternity with members of a Lenten40 team from St. Therese Institute of Faith and Mission, Bruno, SK. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

The starting/finishing line for the Lenten 40 stands underneath a large crucifix raised on the grounds of the Cathedral of the Holy Family for Holy Week 2026. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)