Starting off in early May in London, Ont., the famed silver rose made its way through the Battlefords June 7.
The Silver Rose Program started in 1960 and pays tribute to the Catholic saint, Our Lady of Guadalupe.
According to Catholic teaching, sometime in the 16 century in Mexico, a bishop was trying to determine where to erect a cathedral. The Virgin appears to a poor, but devout, Mexican native by the name of Juan Diego, and tells him to tell the bishop that this is where the temple should be built. Diego goes to the bishop, who twice throws Diego from his office, thinking him to be crazy. The second time, the bishop demands proof.
The Lady, now dubbed Our Lady of Guadalupe, appears once more to Diego, this time touching the earth and where she touches, roses spring up, impossible in the middle of December. Diego brings these roses to the bishop, who is even more astonished when the image of the Virgin appears on Diego's cloak.
To honour the event, three silver roses, all made by the same jeweler, are run from different starting points, coming together in Texas to run over the International Bridge and be handed over to the Knights of Columbus in Monterrey, Mexico.
This year is the first time one of the three silver roses is passing through Canada. Along the way, the rose has made several stops at Catholic schools, allowing students the opportunity to participate in the running of the rose.
Denis Carignan, state advocate with the Knights of Columbus, said he feels honoured to be a part of the first Canadian run, and hopes it will be an annual occurrence.
"The students have probably heard of Our Lady of Guadalupe, but to actually participate in a run that goes through Canada, the United States, and into Mexico must make it more real and significant for them," he said.
"It is a thrill for us and for the young people who were involved in carrying the Silver Rose."
Cameron Nestor, a grade five student at St. Vital School, said the rose was heavier than he thought it would be, and the experience was fun.
"We got to miss class, and that was really neat," said Nestor.
