It was a solemn day across Norway, as the country mourned the loss of 93 people viciously gunned down and those killed in the downtown bombing.

Churches were filled to capacity for vigils of remembrance.

The main cathedral in Oslo was filled with faces of shock and sadness, including those of Norway's King and Queen.

After the service people hugged and sobbed openly in the street, with many congregating around the growing memorial of flowers and candles outside the cathedral.

The tragedy has touched Calgarians of Norwegian descent who are still struggling to come to terms with what has happened in their homeland.

Russ Wiigs and his wife Alison are making preparations to entertain visiting family members.

Russ is president of the western chapter of the "Sons of Norway", and is finding it difficult to concentrate. He, like many Norwegians around the world, is overcome with feelings grief and sadness

"It's much the same thing," says Wiig. "The shock and the horrific feeling that you have to see this happening."

As police in Norway continue their investigation into the massacre, the Wiigs are trying to stay in touch with friends and relatives in their mother land. Wiig says he has heard from a cousin, whose daughter was in downtown Oslo when the initial explosion went off.

"They had gone out for coffee and were sitting in a cafe when the bomb exploded," says Wiig. "They were covered in shattered glass. Fortunately, no one was injured."

Outside the Calgary Scandinavian Centre, the Norwegian flag is at half staff.

For the next several days, the Wiigs will tend to the flag at dawn and dusk.

"If anyone wants to come to be part of that solemn moment , the flag lowering time will be at 9:00 p.m.," says Alison Wiig.

The Wiigs wonders whether Norwegians will recover from the senseless attack.

Since the second World War, Norway has been viewed as one of the world's peacekeepers.