100th Anniversary!

Way of the Cross celebration a big success

The Way of the Cross Centennial commemoration at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm attracted a large crowd of worshipers Saturday, August 28, 2004.

The shrine, located on a tree-studded hillside behind the New Ulm Medical Center, includes 14 Stations of the Cross which depict moments in Christ's passion and death. It also includes a grotto and Lady of Sorrows Chapel.

The shrine was completed in 1904 under the direction of Father Alexander Berghold, Sister Flavia, and the sisters of the Order of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, which owned and operated the old Loretto Hospital located there. The shrine has recently been completely restored to return it to its original splendor.

A choir added joyous music to the Mass of Celebration which was celebrated by Bishop John C. Nienstedt. Following the Mass there was a Eucharistic procession (pictured below) that spanned a length of two blocks.

The Knights of Columbus led the procession with an honor guard, Bishop John C. Nienstedt followed carrying the Blessed Sacrament under a canopy, and the choir and congregation followed behind. From the Cathedral everyone processed down 6th Street North, crossed Garden Street and then up the hill on 5th Street North to the shrine. The group recited the rosary of the Sorrowful Mysteries and sang Eucharistic hymns as they processed.

At the hillside site, (pictured above, right) a second crowd of worshipers, photographers, and reporters had gathered to welcome the procession. A brief program there included Benediction and the singing of hymns led by Bishop John C. Nienstedt.

Afterwards, everyone was invited to the Holy Trinity Middle School in New Ulm for a light lunch served by the ladies of the parish with traditional New Ulm gemütlichkeit (friendly togetherness). About 450 people attended the day’s events.

Honored guests included four sisters from the Order of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ (pictured below, far left). This order once served at Loretto Hospital and completed the construction of the shrine in 1904. Sisters present were (l-r) Sr. Damian McNamara, Sr. Lucille Ardelean, Sr. Sharon Schaefer, and Sr. Nola Weiver. Also pictured with the sisters is George Glotzbach, a member of the Way of the Cross Centennial Celebration Committee.

Other honorees were New Ulm Mayor Joel Albrecht who read a proclamation making Saturday, August 28 Way of the Cross Day and thanked the Catholic Church for its presence in New Ulm for 150 years, and Ralph Reinhart, a member of the Knights of Columbus, who had faithfully maintained the shrine for many years.