Pilgrimage to Holy Rosary Shrine at Reward SK: seeking a good harvest in both field and faith

A tent on the grounds shields pilgrims from the sun during the outdoor Mass. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News

A long tradition of praying for good weather and a bountiful harvest at the Reward pilgrimage July 12 resonated with that Sunday’s Gospel reading about nurturing the seeds of faith.

The pilgrimage program began in the afternoon with Eucharistic Adoration in the church building, confessions at spots throughout the grounds, and the praying of the Rosary.

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

The bells peeled from the steeple of the historic Holy Rosary Church to mark the start of the pilgrimage Mass at 4 p.m. with a procession of banners representing parishes from across the former St. Joseph’s Colony — both active and closed — leading the way from the historic church on the hill to the outdoor altar. Children followed the banner, scattering flower petals along the way.

In his homily, presider Fr. Greg Roth reflected on both the beauty of the surrounding fields, and the beauty of a fruitful faith — like the faith of those who established Holy Rosary Church and the shrine at Reward.

“They were people who were willing to plant a seed, knowing that seed would grow thirty-, sixty-, a hundred-fold,” he said.

The Gospel parable of the sower who scatters seed, with some seeds withering and falling away, is a reminder from Our Lord to nurture the faith we are given, stressed Roth. “What do we need to become good soil?”

Fr. Gregory Roth returned to Reward for the 2026 pilgrimage. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

A former pastor of St. Peter, Unity and St Michael, Tramping Lake parishes who is now serving in Saskatoon at Saint Anne and Saints-Martyrs-Canadiens parishes, Roth returned to preside at the pilgrimage Mass as Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen was unable to attend.

Roth concelebrated Mass with pastors from throughout the area: Fr. Matthew Ramsay (Unity, Wilkie, Tramping Lake); Fr. Paul Oshin (Biggar, Landis, Leipzig, Handel); Fr. Rinesh Menambadath Chacko, VC, (Kerrobert, Major, Dodsland, Luseland); and Fr. Santhosh Thekkekulam, VC (Macklin, Denzil, St. Dontus).

Deacon Donat Davatz of St. Paul Co-Cathedral also joined celebrants at the pilgrimage Mass, proclaiming the Gospel.

Deacon Donat Davatz of St. Paul Co-Cathedral reads the Gospel. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Parishioners from Wilkie, Handel and Leipzig parishes provided ministries during this year’s pilgrimage, which again welcomed pilgrims from across the former St. Joseph’s Colony and beyond — including a full bus (plus an additional car pool) from Saskatoon organized by Sr. Mary Peter of St Paul Co-Cathedral.

“It is truly a blessing that we are called back here as Christians to celebrate and deepen our faith in these challenging times,” said pilgrimage committee member Leanne Clarke.

She provided an update about the site and its improvements and upkeep, supported by donations and cared for by area residents. This year, an enclosure was placed around a statue of Mary on the grounds to protect it from the elements, with the new feature blessed by Roth during the opening procession for Mass.

Leanne Clarke of the Reward pilgrimage commitee reported on recent improvements to the site. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Other recent improvements include the trimming of trees, the re-furbishment of the choir building on the grounds, and the resurfacing of flooring around the outdoor altar. “We are so appreciative of all the donations and absolutely everything that is given or done,” Clarke said. “There is no gesture that is ever taken for granted. It takes many hearts and many hands.”

Parishioners from the area provided music ministry. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

History of the Reward Pilgrimage

The Roman Catholic parish at Reward has its beginnings in the heart of Saint Joseph Colony, which was established by German-Russian settlers in 1905.

The Holy Rosary Church building was constructed on ten acres of donated land in 1918 for $12,000, replacing a smaller structure. The “church on the hill” is a designated historic site, and features 15 large paintings completed in 1928 by Count Berthold Von Imhoff, depicting the Mysteries of the Rosary.

Paintings of the mysteries of the Rosary by Count von Imhoff adorn the interior of Holy Rosary Church at Reward. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

In 1932 the annual pilgrimage in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary was initiated for St. Joseph’s Colony, with the Holy Rosary Church at Reward chosen as the colony’s pilgrimage site because of its central location. A wooden outdoor grotto was built as the shrine in 1936, with the present shrine altar built in 1966.

Although the Reward parish is now closed, volunteers continue to care for the building and pilgrimage site with the help of donations, and parishes throughout the colony continue to assist in holding the annual pilgrimage.

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

During the summer, weekend Mass will also be celebrated on a number of Saturday evenings: July 25, Aug. 8, Aug. 22, and Sept. 5. (Please note that there is no evening Mass at St. Peter Church in Unity, SK, on those dates.)

Parishes and missions of St. Joseph Colony (many of which are now closed) and the dates they were established include:
Pascal, Leipzig (1905);
Charles, Revenue (1905);
Our Lady of Assumption, Kerrobert (1906);
Henry, Salvador (1906);
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin St. Mary, Handel (1906);
Michael, Tramping Lake (1906);
Anthony, Grosswerder (1907);
James, Wilkie (1909);
Sacred Heart, Denzil (1909);
Joseph, Scott (1909);
Our Lady of Holy Rosary, Reward (1910);
Francis/Sacred Heart, Broadacres (1910);
John Nepomecene, Salt Lake (1910);
Mary, Macklin (1910);
Holy Family, Ermine (1910);
Our Lady of Fatima, Landis (1910);
Peter, Cosine (1914);
Donatus, Cactus Lake (1914);
Peter, Unity (1914);
Immaculate Conception, Major (1914);
Eugene de Mazenod, Luseland (1915
Elizabeth, Primate (1916).

More photos

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

The Holy Rosary cemetery, surrounded by prairie fields. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

The old Reward church steeple. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

The outdoor altar. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

A plaque near the church steps commemorates Fr. Thomas Schweers, OMI, 1875-1961, who helped to found St. Joseph’s Colony. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Eucharistic Adoration was held inside the church building during the annual pilgrimage. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Confession stations were set up on the grounds. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Sr. Mary Peter (left) and pilgrims who came by bus from Saskatoon were welcomed by Leanne Clarke of the Reward pilgrimage organizing committee (right). (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Religous items and books were available for purchase. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Leading the Rosary at the Reward pilgrimage. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Praying the Rosary. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Confession stations were set up on the shrine site grounds during the annual pilgrimage July 12, 2026. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Preparing banners for the entrance procession. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Children line up, ready to spread flower petals during the procession. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Children prepare to spread flower petals during the procession. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Children spread flower petals during the procession. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Banners are carried from Holy Rosary Church to the outdoor altar for the beginning of Mass. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Children spread flower petals during the procession. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Celebrants in procession to the outdoor altar. Children spread flower petals during the procession. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Fr. Gregory Roth blesses the new shelter for the statue of Our Lady. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Fr. Gregory Roth blessed the new shelter for the statue of Mary. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

A new enclosure was built to protect the statue of the Virgin Mary from the elements. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Procession of the parish banners at the 2026 Reward Pilgrimage. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Children ended the procession at a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, spreading flower petals along the way. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Celebrants at the Reward pilgrimage (l-r) Fr. Matthew Ramsay, Fr. Paul Oshin, Fr. Rinesh Menambedath Chacko, VC, Fr. Gregory Roth, and Fr. Santhosh Thekkekulam, VC. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Tim and Mary Wagner were recognized for their many years caring for the pilgrimage site — they will retire from that role this fall. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Thanking Fr. Gregory Roth for presiding at Mass. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

-30-

Kiply Lukan Yaworski is the communications coordinator for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon: rcdos.ca.

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