On Sat, Oct 11, St. Thomas More Parish in Calgary hosted a Jubilee for the Youth, a one-day retreat for ages 12–17 led by Fr. Jerry D’Souza, OCD and Fr. Alex Braganza, OCD. The day began with Mass, followed by breakfast prepared by the Knights of Columbus and women of the parish.

In his opening remarks, Fr. Jerry invited the youth to live as people of hope, reminding them that we are called to walk with one another and carry those in need. Three talks followed, highlighting saints who inspire young people today.

Martin Nguyen spoke about Saint Carlo Acutis and his love for the Eucharist, sharing his website on Eucharistic miracles. “Carlo Acutis was inspirational. He helped his parents have faith in God, which was amazing!” said one 16-year-old.

Luis Cortez from St. Bonaventure Parish reflected on Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati, encouraging everyone to strive for holiness and remember that we are all made for greatness in God’s image. Sr. Katrina Le from the Sisters of Divine Mercy spoke on the Jubilee Year of Hope, inviting the youth to make peace with others, especially within their families, and to keep the Eucharist at the centre of their lives.

Submitted by Rooben, St. Thomas More. Photos courtesy of St. Thomas More, Calgary.

It was early in June, in the sacristy after midweek Mass here in Banff, that Fr. Dan Stévènot informed me that he had asked St. Mary’s parishioner Nan Hughes Poole to organize a concert for the Marian pilgrimage week here in the Rockies. Later that week, I sent a text message to Nan to ask if she still “needed any people” for this concert. In my mind, I was thinking I could volunteer as an usher at the front door of the church. However, my text messages often will not express everything that I intend to say, so as things progressed, I was invited to play the oboe in this concert in honour of Mary, the Mystical Rose.

Now, I have played the oboe for about 17 years, since grade seven band class; however, it has been years and years since I have played regularly, and I have barely played any public concerts since I graduated from university in 2019. The psychological games and social pressures from music school had wreaked their havoc, and I developed a tremor in my hands and arms whenever I played solo or chamber music; ultimately, it is why my degree is a BA in music history, rather than a more performance-based B.Mus. However, the die had been cast, and I figured that I might as well accept the invitation and see what the Lord had in store, and see what fruit would be revealed. Now, writing a few days later, I can say with clarity that this was one of the most spiritually enriching musical experiences that I have participated in.
             
Nan invited two of her closest friends, Kathy McMillan Wilhelm and Amy Anderson de Jong to star in the concert as vocalists, as well as pianist Jack Olszewski and violinist Lev Nesterov to round out the panel. The three vocalists have sung together for decades, and it was an honour to witness how their friendship is heard throughout the music. Singer-songwriter Irene Poole opened the second act as a special guest.
           
The music was not strictly what some in the Church would consider “sacred music”, a definition which currently seems to centre upon Renaissance polyphony, written for use in liturgy. However, the works chosen by the vocalists formed a dramatic arc than ran parallel to the life of Mary — from settings of the Magnificat to frame the Annunciation and the Visitation, to African-American spirituals and German lieder to highlight the Nativity of Christ, followed by both Baroque and Modern works on the sorrows of Mary, and settings of the Ave Maria which marked Mary’s Assumption and Coronation.  Poetry selections rounded out the program, which helped to draw out the main theme of the programme — that of Mary’s humanity.
           
If there is one particular gripe that I have with contemporary popular Mariology, it is that we tend to make Mary inaccessible, placing her high and away from the rest of us sinners on a pedestal. Yes, she is the Immaculate Conception, having no stain of original sin, and never entering into it in her lifetime. However, we often forget that Mary is fully human (the most fully human of us all!), and that she has experienced everything that we experience. The work on the program that exemplifies this best is Henry Purcell’s “The Blessed Virgin’s Expostulation” from 1693. Purcell was the first to write opera in English, and so the work is a dramatic scene, depicting the anxieties, doubts and social pressures that Mary faces as she and St. Joseph search frantically for the child Jesus throughout Jerusalem. Throughout, Mary maintains her trust in God and in the divinity of her son, and yet is contending with human emotions that pull her in all directions, including intense worry for the very human Jesus.
           
​Well, I received no miraculous grace of the healing of my tremor this weekend.  What I received instead is a far greater grace of knowing that my blessed Mother has also faced societal pressure and grave anxiety. It is a realization that Mary’s presence in our lives is not chiefly as an image of Christian perfection, although this is certainly a factor. Rather, she is crowned as heaven’s queen in service of humanity precisely because she has undergone all the trials of life, and is most intimately acquainted with its problems and foibles, and therefore is best suited to empathize with us and intercede for us because of the fullness of her humanity. She is near because she is one of us, one with us, and one for us. May we know her closeness in our daily lives, in whatever it is that we face.

Written by Solomon Ip for Faithfully. Photos courtesy of Peter Poole and Jan Myhre.

The week also included two evenings of sacred music. The Mary, Mystical Rose concert brought together professional singers who offered their gifts in praise of God (read Solomon's article), while Crowned with Stars, directed by Carlos Foggin, filled the Shrine with a stirring offering of choral works, live strings, and organ. The concert also premiered Foggin’s new Marian composition Regina Caeli, which was specially composed for the concert. 

With heartfelt gratitude, we thank Fr. Pilmaiken Lezano, pastor of the Shrine Church, together with his dedicated team, Linda and Shelley, and the many volunteers whose generous service helped make the celebrations truly prayerful and welcoming. We are also grateful for Fr. Daniel Stevenot, Fr. Troy Nguyen, and his SFXC team, who guided the young adult pilgrimage that opened the week with such faith and joy.

Our Marian Jubilee Week celebration ended in joy as the whole assembly sang the beloved hymn Immaculate Mary:
Immaculate Mary, your praises we sing,
You reign now in heaven with Jesus, our King.
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria
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As the final notes filled the Shrine, many hoped that this was a glimpse of what Jubilee Marian Week will continue to offer in years to come: a living tradition of faith, music, and devotion to our Blessed Mother: Mary, Mother of Hope.

Photos by Bandi Szakony for the Diocese of Calgary.

Photos courtesy of  Jenn Pashula and St. Francis Xavier Chaplaincy.

Hi, my name is Joseph Ma. I’m 23 years old and have been involved with the Chaplaincy since its beginning, serving in various roles and witnessing our community grow. This past year, I graduated from St. Mary’s University with a BA in Psychology. This pilgrimage was a graduation gift to myself.
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Of all the beautiful places we visited, my top three stops were:

1. Lanciano
   Encountering the Eucharistic miracle here was incredible. After we arrived, we watched a presentation on the different scientific studies conducted on this miracle and learned that it is the first recorded Eucharistic miracle. This experience inspired some of us to sing a choral arrangement of Ave Verum before our Lord in adoration. Though it made us a little late, the moment renewed my love for the Eucharistic Lord and remains a highlight of the trip.
   
   
2. Norcia
   Visiting the birthplace of St. Benedict and St. Scholastica felt like a mini retreat. The Benedictine Monastery emanated peace, and the witness of the monks was both radiant and transformative. The Abbot shared how young Benedict likely learned monastic ways from hermits in these mountains, wandering them and encountering the beauty and goodness of our Lord. Standing in the place he once lived and walked was deeply moving. Hearing the Abbot speak about their trials, how the instability from earthquakes became an opportunity for radical trust in God, inspired me to deepen my own surrender to Him. Their faithful response to disaster, ministering to the townspeople and now opening a school, filled me with joy. As a side note, joining the monks for the chanting of the Divine Office was, without question, one of the most beautiful moments of the trip.
   
   
3. ​Turin
   Turin, at first glance, was one of my least favourite cities. It was covered in graffiti and sometimes seemed unsafe, but for the pilgrimage, it was unforgettable. I have a special fondness for St. John Bosco, and standing where he ministered was powerful. Yet the true pinnacle was venerating the Shroud of Turin. After Fr. Troy’s thorough explanation of its history, science, and the details of Christ’s passion pressed into it, being in its presence was both heartbreaking and inspiring. Fr. Cristino then connected the trip’s inspiration back to Turin, explaining how St. Don Bosco’s ministry followed that of St. Joseph Cottolengo, who served the sick and poor, and St. Joseph Cafasso, Don Bosco’s spiritual director and minister to prisoners before their executions. In turn, Don Bosco’s own work inspired saints like St. Dominic Savio, St. Maria Domenica Mazzarello, and many Blessed, eventually influencing a young Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati to “reach the heights” of sanctity. Thus, Turin is truly a city of saints, a witness that holiness is contagious and born from an encounter with Our Lord that transforms the soul. Such an encounter is never just for oneself; it is always a gift meant to be shared with the world.

One thing I want to carry forward from this pilgrimage is action. Throughout the journey we were constantly on the move, and action was essential to keep up and truly experience each site. As a student, my busy schedule often made it hard to engage in acts of corporal mercy, but now that I’m out of school, I want to dedicate real time to this. Every saint we encountered lived these works of mercy, and I know I need to as well.

There were countless moments of renewal: seeing Eucharistic miracles, singing beautiful music in churches built for those pieces, walking where saints had walked, and witnessing the faith and surrender of others. One day in particular stands alone. I spent my birthday in the Vatican, exploring St. Peter’s Basilica, attending Mass, receiving a birthday blessing at the altars of St. Joseph and St. Thomas the Apostle, touring the Vatican Museums, having an actual Catholic guide, and seeing the Sistine Chapel. The whole day felt like a special birthday gift from God.

That day not only renewed my heart but also deepened my identity as a beloved son of God. A lasting mark of this pilgrimage is the certainty that I have a Father who loves me so much that He would give me such a perfect day to share with those I love who were with me both physically and in spirit.

Written by Joseph Ma for Faithfully.  Joseph joined the young adults pilgrimage to Italy (Aug 2025) with St. Francis Xavier Chaplaincy.

​We also had the opportunity to meet many saints, who intercede for us pilgrims. These holy men and women included St. Benedict, St. Scholastica, St. Francis, St. Clare, Bl. Carlo Acutis, St. Anthony, St. Luke, St. Paul and more! In particular, we received the grace of being able to venerate the relic of St. Cristina and walk with her in procession in Fr. Cristino’s hometown of Sepino. This moment was significant for us since Catarina’s mother is named after this saint.
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Above all, we had many moments of profound encounters with Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, Who we visited in the Blessed Sacrament and received every day in Holy Mass. In Turin, we prayed in the presence of the Shroud, recalling His immense sacrifice of love for our sake. Following from the passion to the resurrection, we adored Him in the miraculously unveiled host in Lanciano and in the Precious Blood in Orvieto. Finally, we adored Jesus along with one million other young Catholics in Tor Vergata at the Jubilee Vigil with Pope Leo XIV.

Written by Catarina Avila for Faithfully. She and her husband Aviv joined the young adults pilgrimage to Italy with St. Francis Xavier Chaplaincy. Photos courtesy of Catarina Avila. 

​You’re invited, whether for a day, a weekend, or the whole week!
Join young adults and all pilgrims for this Marian Week in the heart of the Rockies. As part of our diocesan journey in the Jubilee Year of Hope, it’s a sacred time of prayer, pilgrimage, and celebration, and a special opportunity to receive plenary indulgences during this grace-filled year. 

Location: The Shrine Church of Our Lady of the Rockies (2 Silvertip Trail, Canmore)
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Friday, Aug 15  

• 8:30 am - Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mass with Fr. Pilmaiken at the Shrine Church, Canmore. Followed by:
  •  9 am - Adoration following Mass (overnight) until 10:45 am (Reposition) on Sat, Aug 16. 
    • 3 pm - Novena to Mary begins
    • 6 pm - Taize Prayer during Adoration 

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Saturday, Aug 16 

• 11 am - Blessing of Pilgrims and Mass
• 4 pm - Confession 
• 5 pm - Anticipated Sunday Mass
  ​​

Sunday, Aug 17 

• ​9:30 am, 11:30 am - Sunday Mass, followed by Confession, 
• ​5 pm - Sunday Mass, at Shrine Church, Canmore

Saturday, August 23 at the Shrine Church

• 11 am - Mass with Bishop McGrattan (Jubilee of Legion of Mary)
• 2 pm - Bike Pilgrimage (Banff to Canmore)
  A 27 km scenic bike pilgrimage on Sat, Aug 23, 2025, from St. Mary’s in Banff to the Shrine Church in Canmore via the Legacy Trail, with rest stops, blessings, and arrival in time for the 5 pm Queenship of Mary Mass. To join, register here
  
• 4 pm - Confession
• 5 pm - Sunday Mass
  ​

Sunday, Aug 24 at the Shrine Church

• 9:30 am and 11:30 am - Sunday Mass 
• 5 pm - Mass​

​At the heart of the evening will be the premiere of Foggin’s own Regina Caeli, written especially for this concert. Inspired by the Marian theme, the piece for choir and strings weaves together fragments of melodies from other works in the program with the timeless Gregorian chant for Regina Caeli. “Listeners will be able to hear how it all connects,” says Foggin, “almost like musical threads running through the evening.”

​In addition to his work as Music Director Laureate of the Rocky Mountain Symphony Orchestra, Foggin is an award-winning conductor and composer whose recent Litany of St. Joseph, premiered at Calgary’s Jack Singer Concert Hall in March 2025.

For the upcoming Crowned in Heaven: A Concert for the Queen in Heaven, the professional choir, organized by Mark Dumbrique, will be joined by accomplished string players Theresa Dumbrique, Peter Li, Osmond Chiu, and Erin Beach, with Foggin at the organ and podium.

This will be more than a concert. It is an invitation to pause, pray, and be lifted by music that gives glory to our Lord, and honours the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Queen of Heaven.

A special gathering of young people from Canada took place in Rome on Tuesday, 29 July 2025, at the Church of Sant’Andrea della Valle, during the Jubilee of Youth (28 July to 3 August 2025), part of the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year celebrations.

The Jubilee of Youth brought together thousands of young people from around the world for a week of prayer, catechesis, cultural exchange, and joyful witness. This international pilgrimage invited young people to deepen their relationship with Christ and to be living signs of hope and communion in today’s world.

An estimated 1,000 young people from across Canada made the pilgrimage to Rome for the Jubilee of Youth. Pilgrims represented dioceses, eparchies, national groups, movements, and associations from across the country.

A delegation of young adults from the Diocese of Calgary, led by Fr. Troy Nguyen, Fr. Cristino Bouvette, and Fr. Santiago Torres, joined the global pilgrims in Rome as part of their Jubilee Year Pilgrimage. Their journey, organized through St. Francis Xavier Chaplaincy (SFXC), has taken them through sacred sites across Italy, including Montecassino, Sepino, Assisi, Padua, Turin, Florence, and Orvieto, before reaching Rome for the Papal Mass with Pope Leo XIV at Tor Vergata. 

Adapted from CCCB. Photos courtesy of diocesan young adults SFXC pilgrims.

How you can join us: A brotherhood of prayer
Even if the open road on two wheels isn't your path, your participation is vital and deeply valued. We invite you to join us spiritually by sending us your prayer intentions. We will carry these intentions with us, remembering you and your needs at every shrine and sacred place we visit. You can send your intentions to: [email protected] or on the Heroic Brotherhood https://brotherhood.heroicmen.org/c/prayer-request

Know that you will be remembered in our prayers at every stop, forging a powerful spiritual brotherhood that transcends physical distance.

​A word of thanks and a call to action
I am profoundly grateful to God for this extraordinary opportunity and to all those who have contributed their time and effort to bring this project to fruition. Special thanks are extended to the friends who have dedicated themselves to this vision, and to God's Squad Canada, for their support and friendship.
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Start the engines of your hearts, open them wide to the grace of God, and let us ride together into this Jubilee Year with unwavering hope! ​

Submitted by St. John the Evangelist Parish Office

Photos courtesy of Bandi Szakony for God Squad Canada 

“St. Joseph was chosen by God to be the guardian of the Holy Family. This was no small task.”

With these words, Archbishop Ivan Jurkovič, Papal Nuncio to Canada, opened his homily at St. Mary’s Cathedral, where close to 1,200 faithful gathered to celebrate the Solemnity of St. Joseph. This jubilee Mass was a profound Solemnity, marked by an Apostolic Blessing with a plenary indulgence, granted in the name of Pope Francis and imparted by Bishop McGrattan. The plenary indulgence, available to the faithful under the usual conditions—sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion, and prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father—reminds us of God’s abundant mercy and the call to ongoing conversion.

St. Joseph’s role in salvation history is often described in simple terms—he was the foster father of Jesus and the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary but Archbishop Jurkovič emphasized the depth of his mission. Joseph was entrusted with the care of Jesus and Mary, a responsibility that required immense faith and unwavering trust in God’s plan. His silent strength and steadfastness provided a stable and nurturing environment for Jesus to grow.

“In the home of Nazareth, Jesus would have discerned that Joseph was a man of prayer,” the Archbishop reflected. “Like every Jewish boy, much of the religious heritage of Israel would have been imparted to Jesus in that setting through Joseph’s example.” The lessons of faith that Joseph passed down would later shape Christ’s teachings. “From Joseph, Jesus would have gained knowledge of the skills to be a good carpenter and builder,” he continued. “And this knowledge He used to teach His disciples that the one who listens to the word of God and acts upon it is like the wise man who builds his house on the rock.” 

St. Joseph remains a patron and guide for the Church, for fathers, workers, and all who seek to follow God’s will. “May we learn from St. Joseph how to live lives that are pleasing to the Heavenly Father,” Archbishop Jurkovič urged. His life calls us to be people of faith, courage, and love—to be men and women who, like him, embrace our responsibilities with trust and devotion.

The celebration at St. Mary’s Cathedral concluded with a rare and profound moment—a papal blessing with a plenary indulgence for those present. Bishop McGrattan led the faithful in a moment of repentance, preparing their hearts to receive this special grace. “Pray to God for our Most Holy Father, Pope Francis, our Bishop William, and for Holy Mother Church, and strive, by holiness of life, to walk in full communion with it,” Deacon Peter An announced before the bishop imparted the blessing.

May we turn to St. Joseph in our struggles, in our work, and in our faith, knowing that through his example, we too can walk in trust, courage, and love.

A Plenary Indulgence may be received in the Diocese of Calgary by doing the following during the period from December 29, 2024 through December 31, 2025:
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At least once during the Holy Year:

• Receive sacramental confession and absolution
• Receive Holy Communion

And, while striving to be free from attachment to sin, carry out any of the following:
​

1. Make a pilgrimage visit, whether individually or as a group (family, parish, co-workers, etc.), to either St. Mary’s Cathedral, Calgary, or The Shrine Church of Our Lady of the Rockies, Canmore, and while visiting those sites take time for prayer specifically for the intentions of the Holy Father.
   ​
2. Make a pilgrimage visit to St. John the Evangelist Ordinariate Parish, Calgary, and while visiting this church take time for prayer specifically for the intentions of the Holy Father.
   
   
3. Attend any of the Masses with Apostolic Blessing by Bishop William T. McGrattan on: 
   1. March 19, Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Calgary
   2. August 22, Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Shrine Church of Our Lady of the Rockies, Canmore
   3. December 8, Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Calgary
      
      
4. Those who are truly repentant of sin, but who cannot participate in diocesan pilgrimages, can receive the Jubilee Indulgence by prayerfully reciting the Our Father and any approved version of the Profession of Faith (Creed), and also praying for the intentions of the Holy Father. Those who are homebound due to age, illness, imprisonment, etc., may also offer up their suffering as a prayer for others and/or for the poor souls in purgatory.
   
   
5.  Visit for an appropriate amount of time family members, neighbours or friends who are in need (such as the sick, lonely elderly people, the disabled, prisoners, etc). This visit is to be made with a vibrant awareness of Christ’s presence in these persons in need.
   
   
6.  Carry out personal acts of penance for an entire day (particularly Fridays), such as:
   - Abstain from eating meat
   - Abstain from futile distractions (such as entertainment, social media, etc.)
   - Abstain from unnecessary consumption of food or drink (fasting)
   
   
7.  Carry out significant acts of charity such as:
   - Contribute to the poor
   - Support the homeless, the orphan, the migrant or refugee, etc.
   - Contribute a significant amount of one’s free time to worthy volunteer activities in support of human life and dignity
   
   

During the Jubilee Year an individual may receive one Plenary Indulgence per day, and may apply that indulgence to themselves or to a deceased person. 

​

The closing session was an invitation to continue learning the Faith. David Keep delivered a moving talk on Intellectual Formation, sharing how learning about his Catholic faith led to his conversion—and to his ongoing journey, of continual conversion. His testimony highlighted the call to strive for holiness in everyday life, and it was “a reminder that growth takes time, guidance, support, and grace.”

The day concluded with opportunities for fellowship and moments of quiet reflection, allowing participants to integrate the day’s insights into their own spiritual journeys. Each participant was also given a Jubilee virtue card, encouraging them to entrust themselves to the care of a patron saint for the year.
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Ascension Catholic Parish plans on continuing to provide content that is engaging, thoughtful, and relevant so that parishioners might develop different areas of their lives. As an activity aimed at personal growth and formation, the Formation Day fosters a greater awareness of the diocesan renewal by both teaching the great story of Jesus and His Church, as well as listening to others’ lived experiences of our life as Catholics.

​The lay association Regnum Christi was instrumental in organizing this event, in its mission to educate and prepare youth and families for joy-filled lives of mission, service and prayer through excellent integral formation. Other follow-up activities will be arranged over the course of this Jubilee year. 

Written by Fr. John Paul Luxbacher, LC. To receive invitations to Regnum Christi activities, please feel free to contact [email protected], with the tag “Formation Day.”

Today, on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, the Church observes the World Day of Prayer for the Sick, a day dedicated to lifting up those who suffer and those who care for them. The Jubilee of Hope makes this year's celebration particularly special.

In this spirit of hope and renewal, members of the Calgary Catholic Medical Association (CCMA) gathered on February 1, 2025 for their annual breakfast at Heritage Park Railway Café. With Bishop William McGrattan as the keynote speaker, the morning was a rich opportunity for reflection on the theme of holiness, service, and the integration of faith in the medical profession. As Bishop McGrattan highlighted, this jubilee year is indeed an opportunity for healthcare professionals to focus on the perennial challenge to integrate faith in one's life and work of service.

Becoming Beacons of Hope

​Bishop McGrattan's talk, "Mission of Hope," was a real call to action – an invitation to those in medical field to become beacons of hope. He wasn't just talking about expertise, but about living our faith openly. He reminded us what Pope Francis said in Gaudete et Exsultate (Rejoice and Be Glad) – that holiness isn't some far-off, impossible dream for a chosen few, but something we're all called to.

“Holiness is the most attractive face of the Church,” he shared, quoting Gaudete et Exsultate. “To be holy does not require being a bishop, a priest, or a religious. We are frequently tempted to think that holiness is only for those who can withdraw from ordinary affairs to spend much time in prayer. That is not the case. We are called to be holy by living our life with love and by bearing witness in everything we do, wherever we find ourselves.” (GE No. 14)
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He added, "For healthcare professionals, your daily work is more than a job—it is a vocation, a path to holiness. The long hours, the difficult decisions, the emotional weight of your work—these can all be opportunities to bring Christ’s love into the lives of the sick and suffering. But this kind of witness does not happen by accident. It requires intentionality, prayer, and a commitment to growing in faith."

Bishop McGrattan highlighted that this Jubilee Year is an extraordinary time of grace. Pope Francis, in his Bull of Indiction Spes Non Confundit (Hope Does Not Disappoint - Rom 5:5), calls the faithful to a renewed commitment to the Christian life. Read also: Pope Francis' message for the 33rd World Day of the Sick
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“Every jubilee year is an invitation to be more intentional in our living of the Christian life. To renew our life and to focus on the many ways that we receive the gift of God’s grace. It is a year to experience the call to conversion, to strengthen the living of the faith, and deepen our relationship with God,” Bishop said. 

Dr. Monique exlaimed, "It was very helpful for us to have the Bishop role model for us some of the daily habits he uses to carry out His own personal Mission as our Bishop. He spoke to us from his heart, which is a powerful way to teach an important message."

As we mark this World Day of Prayer for the Sick and journey through the Jubilee Year of Hope, let us take to heart the words of Pope Francis: “Let the grace of your baptism bear fruit in the path of holiness. Let everything be open to God; turn to him in every situation. Do not be dismayed, for you can do this in the power of the Holy Spirit.” (GE No. 15)
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For those in the medical field who seek a community of faith and support, the Calgary Catholic Medical Association extends an open invitation: Join us in living out this mission of hope. 

Photos courtesy of Calgary Catholic Medical Association. For more information about Calgary Catholic Medical Association, visit: ​catholicmedyyc.wordpress.com

​Here are some practical tips from the Dicastery of Evangelization (Vatican) to encourage the love of Scripture:

• Carry the Word with you, physically or on your phone (e.g. Pocket Bible, YOUCAT-Daily, Amen, Hallow, Living With Christ, The Bible in a Year)
• Enthrone the Bible in Your Home
• ​Pray with the Bible
  • Lectio Divina (Divine Reading)
    Have you ever had the incredible experience of prayerfully reading the Word of God? Lectio Divina is a very effective method of prayer and spiritual formation, for spiritual growth and communion with God through His Word. More
    • Seeds of the Word Lectio Divina Compendium 2025 

A Moment of Grace in Calgary

The relics visited Calgary as part of the National Visitation. On Saturday, Jan 4, the relics were hosted at St. Albert the Great Parish for veneration, reconciliation, and prayer ministry throughout the day. Bishop McGrattan celebrated Mass at 5:00 pm, followed by a short talk by Fr. John O'Brien, Director and Jesuit Superior of the Martyrs' Shrine in Midland, Ontario. 

​Mathieu Couture, a parishioner of St. Joseph in Calgary who visited the relics at St. Albert the Great, reflected on the experience: “What stood out to me was that St. Jean de Brébeuf and St. Kateri Tekakwitha came from two very different worlds. Despite their differences, they were united in their love for Christ. Both endured great suffering for their faith, and through this shared suffering, they found unity.” He added, “I believe this is a message our world needs to hear again. In a time when society faces increasing division, we should remember Christ’s vision of unity: that we are one people in Him.”

​The relics tour offers opportunities for personal prayer and reflection. Attendees are encouraged to bring written prayer intentions, which will be taken back to the Martyrs' Shrine. Holy cards, rosaries, and medals can also be pressed to the reliquaries to create spiritual keepsakes.

A Moment of Grace in Tsuut’ina Nation

A highlight of the tour was their stop at the Tsuut’ina Nation on Jan 5, where events unfolded at the Seven Chiefs Sportsplex & Jim Starlight Centre. The day opened with a Traditional Ceremonial Welcome of the relics, followed by Holy Mass celebrated by Bishop William T. McGrattan.

Fr. Cristino Bouvette, who coordinated the visit, shared his reflections: “Hearing the sound of the drum and traditional singing accompanying the relics as they entered the auditorium on the traditional lands of the Tsuut’ina Nation deeply moved me. To imagine that nearly 400 years ago, similar sounds, smells, and sentiments would have accompanied those same people as they walked in their flesh was a profound experience.”

The schedule included a Jesuit-led program highlighting the historical and spiritual significance of the relics. Educational exhibits explored early relationships between Indigenous peoples and Catholic missionaries, as well as stories of Indigenous Catholics with open Causes for Canonization. A special exhibit also featured memorabilia from the 2022 Papal Visit to Canada.

The visit to Tsuut’ina Nation offered a tangible step toward Truth and Reconciliation. Fr. Cristino noted, “An important part of the work of Truth and Reconciliation is not to focus exclusively on the worst part of our shared history, as important as it is to confront, but to look far enough back to the countless instances of harmonious relationships shared between Indigenous Peoples and the Church in Canada.”
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The presence of the relics from both the Canadian Martyrs and St. Kateri Tekakwitha served as a reminder of this shared history, inspiring hope for ongoing reconciliation efforts. 

​One particularly moving story shared by Fr. Cristino involved a local Indigenous elder who had missed the opportunity to greet Pope Francis during the Papal Mass in Edmonton due to illness. “To see her today leading the procession of the relics on to her traditional territories and helping to represent the Chief and Council on behalf of her whole Nation felt like she got to make up for that earlier disappointment,” he said.

As the relics continue their journey across Canada, they invite all people—Catholic and non-Catholic alike—to experience moments of grace and reconciliation. Whether through prayer, reflection, or learning about the history of the saints, this tour offers a unique chance to connect with Canada’s spiritual heritage.

The Holy Father, Pope Francis, has proclaimed a Jubilee Year through his apostolic bull Spes non confundit ("Hope Does Not Disappoint"). This extraordinary year of grace will be inaugurated in all local churches (dioceses) on Sunday, December 29, 2024, the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. 

In our Diocese, Bishop McGrattan will preside over the solemn opening of the Jubilee Year during the Eucharistic celebration at St. Mary’s Cathedral on December 29, 2024, at the 12:00 pm Mass. All priests, deacons, religious, and lay faithful are warmly invited to join the Bishop for this historic moment. 

This Jubilee Year calls the entire Church to search for signs of hope and to become signs of hope for others. We are reminded of our mission to be sources of hope in our families, for our neighbours, and especially for those who are imprisoned, sick, dying, or marginalized. The young and the elderly alike are called to unite in this faith journey, embracing the transformative power of hope in our lives and communities. 

Rite of the Opening of the Jubilee Year 

As part of the Eucharistic celebration, the solemn opening of the Jubilee Year will begin with a special entrance through the principal door of the Cathedral, a symbol of Christ (cf. Jn 10:9). The opening will include a moment of prayer outside the Cathedral, the singing of the Jubilee hymn, an invitation to bless and praise God, the proclamation of the Gospel passage, and a reading from the Bull of Indiction of the Jubilee Year. 

At the threshold of the Cathedral door, the Bishop will lift up the cross and invite the faithful to venerate it with the acclamation: “Hail, cross of Christ, our only hope.” The faithful will respond, “You are our hope, we will never be confounded.”