February 2026

Development and Peace-Caritas Canada (DPCC) solidarity visitor Fr. (Padre) Dário Bossi (left) stopped by the Catholic Pastoral Centre in Saskatoon as part of a Saskatchewan visit, meeting with Bishop Mark Hagemoen and members of the Catholic Pastoral Centre staff.

Padre Dario has worked in Brazil for over 20 years and has accompanied many communities displaced by mining interests.

His visit to Saskatchewan included visits to Saskatoon, including St. Thomas More College; Regina, including Campion College; Bruno, including St. Therese Institute of Faith and Mission; St. Peter’s Abbey at Muenster; and Muskeg Lake Cree Nation.

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At the diocesan Rite of Election Feb. 22, 2026, Bishop Mark Hagemoen welcomed and blessed 75 catechumens from across the diocese who are journeying toward the initiation sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and First Eucharist.

Affirmed by their parishes and by their sponsors, the catechumens wrote their names in the Book of the Elect, and entered another stage of the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). The newly-elect now begin a “season of purification and enlighten during Lent,” before celebrating the sacraments at Easter.

During the celebration at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon, Bishop Hagemoen also welcomed and blessed candidates — already baptized Christians who are preparing to be received into the Catholic Church during the Easter season. The diocesan Office of Evangelization and Catechesis reports that some 45 candidates are journeying to full communion with the Catholic Church this year.

The Rite of Election included celebration of Sunday Eucharist for the First Sunday of Lent. In attendance were a number of priests from parishes that are preparing catechumens and candidates to receive sacraments at Easter, as well as sponsors, family members and parishioners from parishes across the diocese.

Called to be missionary disciples

The Rite of Election “is an outward celebration of a choice already made by God,” the bishop said in his homily “These catechumens are proclaimed fit to be God’s chosen.”

Through the celebration, all members of the Church are also reminded and renewed in this blessing, responsibility, and privilege, he said.

“These chosen are expected to be initiated into the life of Jesus Christ, which necessarily means a life of mission, God’s mission for the world,” he said. “Ready or not, here comes the Holy Spirit!”

The bishop acknowledged that even if we do not feel equipped, we step forward to be his disciples in response to God’s call. “It is because of that deepening intimate relationship with the Lord that we can receive from him in order to give of him to others.”

He added: “The genius of a disciple is he or she always points beyond themselves. The light doesn’t end with them. They know they are not the light. He is the light.”

Video of homily:

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An annual diocesan Stations of the Cross and candlelight prayer service for all victims and survivors of abuse was held Feb. 20, 2026, at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, led by Bishop Mark Hagemoen and members of the Diocesan Safeguarding Committee.

The Vigil of Prayer for Victims and Survivors of Abuse on the first Friday in Lent again included the Stations of the Cross, with reflections from the perspective of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Prayers for healing, justice, conversion, and outreach were part of the traditional Lenten prayer.

A time of Eucharistic adoration followed the Stations of the Cross, with those in attendance invited to bring up candles and offer prayers before the Blessed Sacrament. As well, the bishop was available to pray with anyone who came forward.

Establishing the annual diocesan day of prayer for all victims and survivors of abuse was a recommendation of the Diocesan Safeguarding Committee and the College of Consultors.

 

Find the diocese’s safeguarding commitments and policies online at: Safer Church, Stronger Communities

Prayer for Healing for Victims / Survivors of Abuse shared at the prayer service:

“God of endless love, ever caring, ever strong, always present, always just:  You gave Your only Son to save us by the blood of His cross. Gentle Jesus, Shepherd of Peace, join to your own suffering the pain of all who have been hurt in body, mind and spirit by those who betrayed the trust placed in them. Hear the cries of our brothers and sisters who have been gravely harmed, and the cries of those who love them. Soothe their restless hearts with hope, steady their shaken spirits with faith. Grant them justice for their cause, enlightened by your truth. Holy Spirit, Comforter of hearts, heal Your people’s wounds and transform brokenness into wholeness. Grant us the courage and wisdom humility and grace, to act with justice. Breathe wisdom into our prayers and labours. Grant that all harmed by abuse may find peace in justice. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.” – www.USCCB.org

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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.

 

Bishop Mark Hagemoen presided at an annual Compassionate Healers’ Mass held Feb. 8, 2026 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon.

VIDEO of HOMILY:

 

Praying for those involved in health care

The Compassionate Healers’ Mass provides an opportunity to pray for all those involved in every level of health care in any setting – including medical professionals, caregivers, administrators, support staff, volunteers, spiritual care providers, parishioners, and family members.

The event organized by the Catholic Health Association of Saskatchewan (CHAS) concluded he National Catholic Health Care Week (marked Feb. 1-7, s0s6) and was held ahead of the World Day of the Sick, to be marked on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, Feb. 11. 

World Day of the Sick Feb. 11

The theme for World Day of the Sick 2026 chosen by Pope Leo XIV is “The Compassion of the Samaritan: Loving by Bearing the Pain of Others.”

Recently-ordained Archbishop Susai Jesu, OMI, of the Archdiocese of Keewatin-Le Pas, was the speaker at a Clergy Study Day Feb. 4 in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, sharing insights into Indigenous ministry and key features of Truth and Reconciliation.

The new Archbishop has spent decades journeying with Indigenous Peoples in parishes. up north and in the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton.

The clergy of the diocese of Saskatoon also gathered Feb. 5  for reflection and prayer as part of a Clergy Day of Recollection.