By Sara Hansen, Apostolic Intern, St. Therese institute of Faith and Mission

Every year, the participants and staff members of St. Therese Institute of Faith and Mission in Bruno SK, venture to Wakaw SK where the National Shrine of the Little Flower is located.

This is an incredibly joyful celebration of our Patron, Saint Thérèse of Lisieux’s feast day on Oct. 1, and we have partnered with St. Theresa’s Parish (where the Shrine is located in Wakaw) to have a celebration of the Little Flower.

Our commemoration begins with Mass at 10:30 a.m., followed by a reflection on St. Thérèse given by Jerome Montpetit, our Assistant Director of Formation.

Afterwards there is some time for socializing down in the basement of the parish, as well as opportunities for personal reflections and veneration of the relic of St. Thérèse. This is followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament with a special time for our participants to give their commitment to this year and to our program.

We would like to extend an invitation to anyone who wants to join us for these festivities and support our participants on this exciting day, to join us in Wakaw at St. Theresa’s Parish from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 1, 2026.

Men’s walking pilgrimage

However, our men’s community started something special two years ago in 2024. They do not just hop in a car and drive the near-60 kilometres from Bruno to Wakaw — they walk the entire way. Their walking pilgrimage tarts on Sept. 29, and throughout two days they journey towards their destination whilst camping overnight at a parish between the two towns before arriving in Wakaw.

During the last two years that the men have undertaken this pilgrimage, a few alumni/members of the Bruno community have joined our walk, but this year we would we like to invite any young Catholic men in the diocese of Saskatoon to join the walk.

It is such an incredible opportunity for brotherhood and fellowship, as well as a chance to reconnect your soul with the Lord for a few days. If you have any further questions about joining the men’s community on this pilgrimage, please do not hesitate to reach out to Jerome Montpetit (jmontpetit@sttherese.ca) or call the St. Therese front office at (306) 369-2555 for more information.

Alumni from 2025-2026, on the 2nd day of their men’s community pilgrimage. (Submitted photo, courtesy of St. Therese Institute)

Past participants reflect 

“I found that at the beginning of the walk, we were all friends. By the end, we were brothers,”says Joseph Cote (Class of 2024,2025,2026).

“One memory that sticks out is …  four of us men at the back of the pack. All four of us were pushing ourselves to our limits and would have given up without the others. Even though the road seemed endless, I knew we would get to the end,” recalls Daniel Berube (Class of 2024, 2025, 2026).

“A two-day mortification journey with the boys,” describes William Cornish (Class of 2026).

“The pilgrimage to Wakaw was an incredible, eye opening experience. What appeared to be a boring, long walk, quickly became a challenge of character, a test of tenacity, and a demand for brotherhood. When the conversation inevitably runs dry, all one has to rely on is his faith. For in true weakness is when we find ourselves leaning on the strength and guidance provided by the Holy Spirit,” says Owen Textor (Class of 2025).

Praying the Rosary on the walking pilgrimage, illustrated by a photo taken by Kieran Gillespie (Alumni Class of 2024, 2025).

“[The walk] is physically hard, it does not sound like it would be very spiritual, but doing the walk really does bring you closer to God and it builds brotherly bonds,” said Thomas Korol (Class of 2026).

Walking to Wakaw “was like finally getting to experience a simulation of one of those war hero movies, but where the stakes are super low. Your body is shaking, legs failing  you, but there is also internal character drama, jokes, trench games, food never tastes better at a checkpoint, comrades are falling to your right and left, but when you reach the end you won’t even care that you’ve been sleeping on the ground for days,” says Keegan Carreau Burns (Class of 2025).

Alumni Zachariah McLaughlin, Jeff Vizeacoumar, Nathaniel Cote, William Cornish, and friend Jacob Marcoux having a great time on their walk last year. (Submitted photo courtesy of St. Therese Institute)

Taking a break at Sacred Heart of Jesus Ukrainian Catholic Church midway between Bruno and Wakaw, where the men camp out for the night. (Submitted photo courtesy of St. Therese Institute)

St. Therese Institute alumni Maximillian Connelly (Class of 2023,2024,2025) and Noah Huber (class of 2026) chat over lunch and treats at St. Theresa Parish in Wakaw in 2025. (Submitted photo courtesy of St. Therese Institute)

Candle Lighting ceremony for St. Therese Institute alumni Mary Parsons and Carina Lynn (class of 2025), and Phylicia Aalbers (Class of 2019, Formation Director from 2023-2026, currently on Maternity Leave). (Submitted photo courtesy of St. Therese Institute)

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