Representatives from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon — including Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen — recently embarked on a journey to northern Saskatchewan for an annual pilgrimage to Pine Channel.
By Bishop Mark Hagemoen
Pine Channel is located on an island on Lake Athabasca between Fond du Lac and Stony Rapids in the far north of Saskatchewan near the Northwest Territories border.
Pilgrimage participants come from the Athabasca Dene communities throughout the region. The Pine Channel Pilgrimage was the inspiration of the Bishop Denis Croteau, OMI and the northern Athabasca peoples beginning in 1990. This year marked the 35th milestone year of the gathering.
This was also the first year attended by the new Archbishop of Keewatin-Le Pas, Archbishop Susai Jesu, OMI, who invited me up with a small team to join the pilgrimage.
It was great to attend again, and catch up with peoples from my former Diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith. (The Athabasca region was transferred to the Archdiocese of Keewatin-Le Pas in 2017).
The boat ride from Fond du Lac was spectacular. As the Athabasca Lake is very large and often features high winds, we needed to follow the coast to avoid the large lake waves. The wild lake was navigated by the skill of Willie John Mercredi.
Upon our arrival, we were greeted with a warm welcome from Archbishop Susai and members of the community.
Accompanying me to the Pine Channel Pilgrimage were Verbum Dei Missionaries Sr. Marta Piano, and Sr. Mirasol Abala, and seminarian Huy Le. During our stay, the sisters and Huy prepared some prayer and recreational activities for the young people at the gathering.
Saskatoon participants Sr. Marta Piano (left) and Sr. Mirasol Abala (second from right) of the Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity, and diocesan semiarian Huy Le (far right) joined Bishop Mark Hagemoen on the pilgrimage to Pine Channel in July. (Submitted photo)
Activities during the annual event include Holy Eucharist each day, opportunities for confession; rosary walks, camping, fishing, and other traditional gathering activities
Thursday of the pilgrimage featured the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation. Over 100 candidates between the ages of 12 and 16 years were confirmed. The candidates were dressed in their finest clothes – despite the fact that we were in a wilderness site.
The celebration featured a spirited homily by the new Archbishop. I had the privilege to con-celebrate and join in conferring the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Archbishop Susai Jesu, OMI, left, and Bishop Mark Hagemoen, right, with confirmands and family members at the Pine Channel pilgrimage. (Submitted photo)
Each day of the pilgrimage had a special theme. During the time we attended and following the confirmations, one theme day was to support all struggling with any kind of addiction – whether personally or in support of a family member or friend.
Another day was devoted to marriages, and featured a blessing on all the husbands and wives in attendance.
On the last evening of the pilgrimage, participants gather for a ‘walk-through’ of the site, praying for all families and community members, and for a safe trip home the next day.
I was again deeply moved by the faith and community of the Athabasca people, and it was such a blessing to be present and to establish friendships. It was also a great experience of Dene culture, featuring hospitality, prayer, the wide-spread use of the Dene language by young people as well as elders, and of course – the beautiful and majestic land of the far north of Saskatchewan.
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