Tradition endures on Mission Hill
St. Albert’s long-running Assumption Pilgrimage returned to the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto this August, drawing parishioners and visitors for prayer, sacraments and old-fashioned fellowship. Marking its 88th year, the pilgrimage combined solemn observance with community activities on the weekend closest to the Feast of the Assumption.
The Archdiocese of Edmonton’s account of the weekend says the celebration included a living Rosary, confession, the Anointing of the Sick and an outdoor Mass attended by more than 800 people. The pilgrimage remains centred on the Grotto site at St. Albert Parish and continues to attract multi-generational families who treat the event as an annual gathering.
“Sixty some years ago, when I was a child, my family would pack the picnic basket and drive out to St. Albert for the annual pilgrimage Sunday,”
Those words came from Fr. Jack Herklotz, OMI, pastor of St. Albert Parish, recalling how his family once treated the pilgrimage as a full-day social and spiritual occasion. The present-day observance retains that blend of faith and fellowship even as some of the old ceremonial elements have been streamlined.
Service, sacraments and a milestone for clergy
The weekend began with a living Rosary led by parish youth — an initiative introduced the previous year for the Jubilee and continued after a positive reception. The sacrament of confession was offered for those seeking reconciliation, and the Anointing of the Sick followed the Saturday evening Mass.
Clergy milestones were also part of the observance. The Archdiocese noted that Fr. Ed Kosa, OMI — a retired Oblate — celebrated his 48th anniversary of priesthood during the Saturday Mass, a moment parish organisers described as "extra special." On Sunday, fine weather allowed the outdoor Mass to proceed as planned at the Grotto, reinforcing the event’s place as an open-air gathering for prayer.
Community and continuity
After Sunday’s Mass, participants were invited to share lunch and play traditional games. The combination of liturgy and low-key social activities is a hallmark of the pilgrimage and helps explain its longevity in St. Albert. Organisers emphasised that while the format has evolved, the core purpose — communal prayer and fellowship — has not.
- Event: Assumption Pilgrimage at Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, St. Albert Parish
- Year: 88th annual pilgrimage
- Attendance: 800+ people at the outdoor Mass
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Edition | 88th |
| Reported attendance | Over 800 |
| Clergy anniversary | Fr. Ed Kosa — 48 years |
Organisers have already announced that the pilgrimage will be held next year on Aug. 14 and 15, 2027, inviting the public to plan ahead. For St. Albert residents, the pilgrimage is both a spiritual touchstone and a reminder of the city’s history — the Grotto and Mission Hill serving as recurring sites for community life and observance.
While the event is religious in nature, its endurance is also a local cultural story: an annual tradition that draws families back, encourages youth participation and sustains volunteer-run hospitality. For local leaders and parish staff, maintaining the pilgrimage is about preserving continuity amid changing times.
As the pilgrimage moves toward its 89th edition, organisers said they will keep the features that resonate — the living Rosary, accessible sacramental ministry, and the combination of Mass and social time — ensuring the Assumption Pilgrimage remains a fixture on St. Albert’s civic and religious calendar.
