Bishop Chad W. Zielinski of New Ulm blesses the Headwaters of the Minnesota River near Ortonville. Also pictured are (back) Deacon Paul Treinen and Fr. Shawn Polman from the Spirit of Life Area Faith Community (Ortonville, Rosen, and Madison), and Diocese of New Ulm seminarian Matthew Colllins of Murdock, Minn., one of the seven Pilgrimage of Hope pilgrims.

ORTONVILLE, MN - Early on the morning of June 25, 2025, in a light rain, Bishop Chad W. Zielinski, bishop of the Diocese of New Ulm, Minnesota, blessed the headwaters of the Minnesota River near Ortonville. The river flows through the heart of the Diocese of New Ulm, and this sacred blessing was one of the spiritual highlights of the diocese’s Pilgrimage of Hope. During the blessing, in a holy moment, Bishop Zielinski dipped a relic of the True Cross, a significant symbol of the Christian faith, into the flowing waters.

The Pilgrimage of Hope, which began on Corpus Christi Sunday, June 22, 2025, is an 8-day sacred journey, during which seven young adult pilgrims walk and, at times, drive through approximately 90 miles of the rural landscape of the diocese, stopping at designated parishes for prayer, Eucharistic Adoration, and fellowship with all who choose to join them. On their journey, which began at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm, the pilgrims are praying for the diocese while inviting the Christian faithful to join in prayer, kindling hope through Mary under her title, Our Lady of the Prairie. On Corpus Christi Sunday, Bishop Zielinski rededicated the Diocese of New Ulm to Our Lady of the Prairie, now the patroness of the diocese. The pilgrims carry with them a replica of a life-sized painting of the new patroness, which was specially commissioned last year for this occasion. The painting’s creator is Damien Walker of The Studio of Saint Philomena in New Zealand.

“As we stand at the headwaters of the Minnesota River asking God to pour forth his blessing, we are reminded of the grace flowing from Our Lady of the Prairie,” Bishop Zielinski said during the blessing of the headwaters. “I pray that as this blessing joins the Minnesota River flowing through the heart of our diocese, a new era of grace flows into the hearts, minds, homes, farms, and parishes of the Diocese of New Ulm. Our Lady of the Prairie has claimed us as her children, and with great joy, we claim her as Our Mother. With her embrace, we will encounter a new season of hope and healing, especially as we encounter her Son in the Sacramental life of the Church,” the bishop said.

Roman and Carol Taffe, parishioners of the Catholic Church of St. John in Ortonville, were among about 50 people who rose early to attend the 6:00 a.m. ceremony, describing it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. As droplets of rain fell, Roman Taffee likened the moment to a “trifecta” of divine grace: the heavens' rain, the river's flowing waters, and Bishop Zielinski's sprinkling of holy water.

Six parish communities in the Diocese of New Ulm are located along the Minnesota River: Granite Falls, Montevideo, New Ulm, North Mankato, Ortonville, and St. Peter.

For more information about the Pilgrimage of Hope or to watch the events surrounding the pilgrims' journey, visit the Diocese of New Ulm website at www.dnu.org.