Informational Brochure

A pilgrimage is a journey a pilgrim
makes to a sacred place for the
purpose of venerating it or to ask for
heavenly aid, and ultimately to come
to know God better.
DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO
THE MARTYRS’
SHRINE
Christian pilgrimages were first made to sites
connected with the birth, life, crucifixion and
resurrection of Jesus Christ. Shortly after, pilgrimages
started being made to Rome and other sites associated
with the apostles, saints and Christian martyrs, as
well as places where there had been apparitions of the
Virgin Mary. In the past, pilgrims would leave their
homes, families, and comforts to walk for hundreds of
miles with nothing but what they could carry on their
backs. Just as the pilgrims from the early centuries, we
modern pilgrims also leave our homes, families and
comforts in order to journey to sacred places.
Pope Francis has said in this Jubilee Year of Mercy
“the practice of pilgrimage has a special place in the
Holy Year, because it represents the journey each of
us makes in this life. Life itself is a pilgrimage, and
the human being is a viator, a pilgrim traveling along
the road, making his way to the desired destination.
Similarly, to reach the Holy Door in Rome or
in any other place in the world, everyone, each
according to his or her ability, will have to make a
pilgrimage. This will be a sign that mercy is also a
goal to reach and requires dedication and sacrifice.
May pilgrimage be an impetus to conversion: by
crossing the threshold of the Holy Door, we will find
the strength to embrace God’s mercy and dedicate
ourselves to being merciful with others as the Father
has been with us.”
MIDLAND
ONTARIO
Call for more information
1-855-526-3788
16163 Highway 12 West, P.O. Box 7
Midland, Ontario, Canada L4R 4K6
dol.ca
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
Bishop R.P. Fabbro CSB will
celebrate the Eucharist at 2:00 pm.
THE HISTORY
OF MARTYR’S
SHRINE
St. Jean de Brébeuf is a giant of
Canadian history. His writings in the
Jesuit Relations, for example, offer
an invaluable window into life in
17th-century Canada.
Born in France in 1593, Brébeuf was ordained a
Jesuit in 1622. He arrived in Quebec as a missionary
in 1625, and in 1626 traveled to a Huron community
near present-day Midland. Sent home during
political upheaval, he returned to Quebec in 1633,
making a 1,300-km canoe trek back to Huronia the
following year, where he remained for most of the
rest of his life. Brébeuf ’s willingness to paddle long
distances, portaging through rough terrain and
enduring challenging conditions without complaint.
Brébeuf ’s embrace of his mission comes through
clearly in his writings. His recollection of his
journey, as described in the Relations, was that
“I was at times so weary that my
body could do no more. But at the
same time my soul was filled with
great happiness as I realized that I
was suffering this for God.”
The physical challenges and practical privations
were only some of Brébeuf burdens during his
mission. The initial embrace of Christianity was slow,
undoubtedly complicated by the fact that illnesses
Europeans brought with them proved deadly to the
aboriginal communities, killing thousands.
Brébeuf remained unbowed, however, and as the
number of those baptized gradually increased, he
wrote instructions to future missionaries, telling
them to love the Hurons as brothers and to be
ready to offer such practical assistance as carrying
magnifying glasses to start fires and to be respectful,
eating food that is offered and helping with tasks.
As the 1640s drew to a close, the Huron became
increasingly threatened by the Iroquois, and on
March 16, 1649, Brébeuf and fellow Jesuit Gabriel
Lalemant were taken prisoner, tortured and martyred.
St. Jean de Brébeuf and seven companions were
canonized in 1930. Secondary patron saints of
Canada, their feast day is September 26.
MARTYRS’ SHRINE
Canada’s national shrine of the
Canadian Jesuit Martyrs celebrates
its 90th anniversary of the opening
of the present church on the hill in
2016. It is Canada’s only national
shrine outside of Quebec.
$90 entrance fee per bus
Guided tours available between
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Ste. Marie Among the Hurons
705.526.7838
Badder Bus Lines 1 800.668.1974
Coaches for 47 people starting at $2599
Lang’s Bus Lines 519.652.6994
School Buses starting at $1346