INVERMAY - The 79th Rama Pilgrimage took place at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes on Aug. 14 and 15, attracting more than 700 pilgrims from near and far.
That number included 12 priests as well as the St. Philomena walking pilgrims (organized by Deacon Dave Hudy of Melville), who began their trek from Yorkton on Aug, 11, arriving in Rama during the afternoon of Aug. 14.
The pilgrimage began at 3 p.m. on Aug. 14 with the Chaplet of Divine Mercy led in song by Fr. Andrew Sowa OMI, parish priest at St. Anthony's in Rama.
Stations of the Cross followed with many pilgrims, including the St. Philomena walking pilgrims. At 6 p.m. the St. Cecilia Choir of Saskatoon sang hymns of Praise to Mary followed by the cultural Filipino dance organized by Star Relatado of Yorkton. Private confessions were available for those who wished to receive this sacrament.
Prior to the 8 p.m. Mass, Fr. Andrew Sowa sang several "Mary" songs, providing texts for all to sing along. The main celebrant and homilist for the Mass was Fr. Colin Roy of Humboldt.
Ten concelebrating priests from the Diocese of Saskatoon and Regina joined in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Readers were Dianna Lee of Regina and Elaine Olson of Rama. The International Living Rosary as well as the candlelight procession concluded the celebration at the Shrine.
The Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament took place in the church until midnight. The Shrine looked amazingly beautiful and serene when all had dispersed, leaving the flickering candles that emphasized the beauty of the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes.
Aug. 15 began at 8:30 a.m, with the sung Morning Devotional Prayers to Mary in Polish led by Fr. Andrew Sowa. Fr. Andrew was the main celebrant and homilist for the Polish Mass that followed. Concelebrants were Fr. Jacek Wojdat of Poland, Fr. Daniel Malone of Swift Current and Fr. Ryszard of Saskatoon.
The Divine Liturgy followed with Fr. Ivan Simko of Canora as main celebrant and homilist. The Final Mass at 11 a.m. with Fr. Michal Pajak OMI of Melville as main celebrant and homilist, and five concelebrating priests including Deacon Dave Hudy concluded the pilgrimage celebration.
Readers were Juliette Franke of Yorkton and Mary Kowalyshyn of Rama. The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, Blessing for Plenary Indulgence and blessing of Religious articles were done at that time as well.
Many thanks and words of appreciation were expressed and all were invited to the Parish Hall for lunch prepared by the Parish Ladies. All were also invited to return next year to celebrate the 80th Rama Pilgrimage on Aug. 14 and 15.
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