Pilgrims gather at Grosswerder SK church on Feast of St. Anthony of Padua

By Clara Hittel

Pilgrims once again gathered on the Feast of St. Anthony of Padua June 13 at the historic church named in the beloved saint’s honour, for the annual Grosswerder pilgrimage, honouring St. Anthony as well as the pioneers of St. Joseph’s Colony in the western portion of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon.

A special procession led by flag bearers, St. Anthony float and horse drawn carriage carrying priests from the area left Ollenberger farm in the early evening and proceeded to St. Anthony’s Cemetery for a special blessing.

Then it was on to the historic St. Anthony Church, which opened in 1912, and closed 70 years later in 1982.

Mass was celebrated by Fr. Paul Oshin, pastor of parishes at Biggar, Handel, Landis and Leipzig; along with concelebrants Fr. Santhosh Thekkekulam, VC, pastor of parishes at Macklin, Denzil and St. Donatus; Fr. Rinesh Menambadath Chacko, VC, pastor of parishes at Kerrobert, Major, Luseland, and Dodsland; and Fr. Matthew Ramsay, pastor of parishes at Unity, Tramping Lake and Wilkie.

The beautiful Mass was followed by singing of the Litany of the Saints and a Novena prayer to St. Anthony. A time of fellowship followed the Mass.

Volunteers in the area continue to maintain the cemetery site and church building, with the annual pilgrimage held every June.

Other summer pilgrimages in the diocese and beyond – LINK

Photos

The pilgrimage includes a blessing at the nearby cemetery before moving on to celebrate Mass at the historic church building. (Photo by Clara Hittel)

Celebrants arrived at the church in a horse-drawn wagon. (Photo by Clara Hittel)

Priests from the area celebrated Mass together at the historic church at Grosswerder, SK, on the Memorial of St. Anthony of Padua June 13, 2026: (l-r) Fr. Rinesh Menambadath Chacko, VC (Kerrobert, Luseland, Dodsland, Major); Fr. Santhosh Thekkekulam, VC (Macklin, Denzil, St. Donatus); Fr. Paul Oshin (Biggar, Handel, Landis, Leipzig); Fr. Matthew Ramsay (Unity, Tramping Lake, Wilkie). (Photo by Clara Hittel)

The historic St. Anthony Church at Grosswerder opened in St. Joseph’s Colony in 2012. (Photo by Clara Hittel)

Pilgrims gathered for celebration of the Eucharist at Grosswerder June 13. (Photo by Clara Hittel)

The entrance procession. (Photo by Clara Hittel)

Celebration of Mass at St. Anthony Church, Grosswerder June 13, 2026. (Photo by Clara Hittel)

-30-

Communications and Catholic Saskatoon News are supported by gifts to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal: dscf.ca/baa.