A PHOTOGRAPHIC HISTORY OF THE SHRINE (by archivist Steve Catlin, Hons. BA, MRE, BEd.)

Click on the italicized headings below to be directed to the identified historical period text. Click on the italicized words within the body of the text to view the image. Use the "back" button or click on the image to return to the text. "This report is not exhaustive. It does not presume to fully understand the Shrine's role in God's salvific plan"- S. Catlin.

(The author recommends the article "Martyrs' Shrine: 70 Years Young" by Fr. Carl Matthews S.J.).

1. New Beginnings: The Jesuits Return - 1844-1930
2. Preserving the Past: Canadian Identity - 1931-1949
3. Home of Peace, Symbol of Hope - 1950-1973
4. The Great Mystery, The Great Pilgrimage - 1974-1984
5. Memory, Presence and Prophecy - 1985-2005

NEW BEGINNINGS: THE JESUITS RETURN AND THE MARTYRS HONOURED 1844- 1930

The history of the present Shrine can be traced back to the efforts of Jesuits who returned to Canada in the 1840’s. In November 1844, Father Pierre Chazelle SJ wrote to his Superior on how he celebrated Mass at the ruins of Ste. Marie I earlier that year in June and suggests that excavations should commence. He and his predecessors were also determined to find the destroyed village of St. Ignace II: the place where Saints Brebeuf and Lalemant were martyred. Fr. Felix Martin SJ visited Ste. Marie I and Ste. Marie II in August 1855, and surveyed their ruins found on the Wye River and Christian Island repsectively. Bishops in Canada and the United States began formally petitioning Rome for the canonization of the eight Jesuit martyrs as early as 1884. In 1886, a memorial church to the Martyrs was dedicated in Penetanguishene, now known as St. Anne’s Church. In 1902 Fr. Arthur E. Jones SJ from Montreal travelled to Huronia, mapped the archaeological sites dug up by local farmers, and identified them with the mission villages described in the Jesuit Relations two hundred and fifty years earlier. It was Fr. Jones who first identified the location of St. Ignace II- on top of a hill on Gervais Road outside of Wabaushene.

In 1906 the Jesuit Provincial was offered the parish of St. John the Evangelist in Waubaushene by the Bishop of Toronto. In 1907 Fr. J. B. Nolin SJ built a chapel and a hostel on the site where Fr. Arthur E. Jones believed that Frs. Brebeuf and Lalemant were martyred, the village of St. Ignace II. On the Feast of the Assumption, the first pilgrimage to Martyrs Hill took place. There were over 2500 people at the ceremony and the numbers began to grow over the years. People from as far away Montreal, Ottawa, and Winnipeg made their way to the Martyrs’ Hill Shrine.

The year 1925 was truly a special one. The martyrs were beatified in Rome. The Superior of the Jesuits in Upper Canada, Fr. John M. Filion SJ, organized a pilgrimage to the ruins of Ste. Marie I on this special occasion. On June 21, 1925, an estimated 10,000 people (some sources say 6000) attended the outdoor Mass at Ste. Marie I, offered by Archbishop Neil McNeil of Toronto. A memorial plaque was unveiled. The Jesuits hoped that one day, the property of Ste. Marie I would some day be in their possession.

In 1918, on his deathbed, Fr. Jones told Fr. Filion that he had his doubts whether the shrine built in Waubaushene was on the site of Brebeuf’s and Lalemant’s martyrdom. A local man, Mr. Alphonse Arpin was convinced he found the true site of St. Ignace II. He told others how the site fit the geographical descriptions found in the Jesuit Relations of centuries past and how he had received signs from Heaven indicating that he had located this hallowed place. These included balls of fire coming forth from the ground (also seen by Fr. Bouvrette and a local woman, Mrs. A. Picotte) and a buried holy card of St. Terese of Liseux tainted with red stains from the ground. Arpin was able to see the old abondoned Huron trails making there way through the woods and along with a Mr. Thomas G. Connon painstakingly measured the distances between archaeological sites. Thus the location of St. Ignace II was determined accurately by these men through the historical information provided in the Jesuit Relations. Soon, the archaeologists would come to examine the site.

It was decided in 1925 that the shrine at Martyrs’ Hill should be dismantled. The old shrine was too far from the railway line, the water supply for the pilgrims was inadequate, and its historical authenticity questionable. Since there was no question about the authenticity of the ruins of Ste. Marie I, efforts were made to purchase the Standen farm where the present Shrine perches. Fr. Filion organized local ship builders and oversaw the construction of the church. Stained glass windows, altars, pews, and Stations of the Cross were secured from St. Peter's Cathedral in London, Ontario, and St. Peter's Church in Toronto. Lumber was donated by local mills and stone was brought in from Longford, Ontario. In September 1925, around 50 local workmen began construction under the direction of Mr. Morgan James Callahan. Nine months later the Shrine was officially opened and Cardinal O’Connell of Boston, who was in the area by chance, blessed the church, June 25th, Friday, 1926. It was dedicated to honour St. Joseph, the Patron Saint of Canada (since 1624) and Patron Saint of the Jesuit Mission to the Hurons (1634- 1650) . The Honourable Minister of Forestry and Mines, Mr. McCrea, unveiled the front statues of Brebeuf and Lalemant on Saturday. The following day, June 27th, Sunday, Archibishop McNeil of Toronto presided over a solemn pontifical High Mass with six other Ontario Bishops. 13,000 pilgrims were present at the Mass. This day would begin over 75 years of Catholic devotion and spiritual blessings. Gerald Henry was cured instantly of stuttering when relics of the Martyrs were applied to him by Fr. Dugas SJ . Martyrs’ Shrine had an inn and numerous statues dotting the grounds. In 1927, Fr. Joseph Keating SJ became the Director and the Shrine quickly became a place of refuge and source of strength for Catholics in Ontario and the rest of Canada.

On May 29th, 1930, approximately 100 (some sources say 300) Canadians made their way to Rome for the Canonization of the Martyrs. They would visit many holy sites in Europe, including Conde- sur-Vire, the birthplace of St. Jean de Brebeuf. On June 29th, the Feast day of St. Peter and Paul, Pope Pius XI declared The Canadian Martyrs as Saints to a throng of 60,000. Back in Canada, over 7000 pilgrims attended an outdoor Mass at the Shrine, presided by Archbishop Neil McNeil of Toronto. The eight Martyrs become the first Saints of Canada and will be forever known as Apostles to the New World.

PRESERVING THE PAST: PILGRIMS, PAGEANTS, AND CANADIAN IDENTITY 1931- 1949

The 1930’s saw such an increase of pilgrims that the Inn had to be enlarged to accommodate the crowds. Diocesan pilgrimages became annual events. Catholics came with their bishops from Toronto, Hamilton, Peterborough, Sault Ste. Marie, London, Ottawa, Pembroke, Kingston, and Montreal, as well as by individual parishes and groups. Pilgrims would travel by train, car, bus, and ship. The Shrine grounds and roads were greatly improved under the directorship of Fr. Thomas Lally SJ (Director 1928- 1953). In 1932 a beautiful reliquary was brought to the Shrine from Paris- a gift of the French Jesuits. In 1933 the Apostolic Delegate visited the Shrine as official emissary of the Pope. Others would follow. Retreats were given at the Shrine for laymen and in 1936 and 1937 special Pageants were performed at the Shrine for thousands of spectators. The Martyrs’ Shrine Message, started in 1937, kept pilgrims informed of events at the Shrine. Over 500 cures were reported in the first thirteen years of the Shrine’s ministry. The most notable cures to take place at the Shrine were those of Mr. Mark Deimert (tubercular spine, 1930), and Mrs. Elizabeth Forhan (heart ailment/weak spine/fainting spells, 1930- 1931).

The year 1939 was a special one commemorating the 300th anniversary of the buidling of Ste. Marie I. A special cairn was unveiled on the Shrine grounds in honour of the Jesuits who worked among the Wendat (Hurons). Lt- Governor Albert Matthews unveiled the plaque and Cardinal Gasparri of Rome celebrated a Pontifical High Mass the follwoing day with Cardinal MacGuigan. On October 16th, 1940, Pope Pius XII named the Canadian Martyrs secondary patron saints of Canada.

The Shrine became a symbol of hope and a home of peace during the war years. Many pilgrims came to pray for the end of the war and on September 9th, 1945 a Military Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated at the Shrine and attended by over 1000 soldiers from Camp Borden. After the war, Eastern European immigrants would come to the Shrine to pray for the liberation of their homeland from communism. These pilgrimages would become annual events for the next sixty years.

During the 1930’s and 1940’s, Martyrs’ Shrine continued its commitment to unearthing the sacred sites of Huronia- places that played a significant role in the spreading of the Gospel and in the history of Canada. In 1932, Alphonse Arpin and Thomas Connon began to verify Arpin’s earlier discovery of St. Ignace II. Excavations at St. Ignace II began in 1937 by W.J. Wintemberg on behalf of the National Museum of Canada. The Jesuits became owners of the site and archaeological investigations would continue in 1946 under Wilfred Jury. At the same time, the property of Ste. Marie I was purchased by the Jesuits in 1940. Excavations of the site by Kenneth Kidd begun in 1941 would end in 1943 due to war restrictions. In 1947, restoration of three bastions at Ste. Marie I were started. In October of 1947, excavations began at Ste. Marie I and continued for five more years under Wilfred Jury. During the 1930’s and 40’s, the search for the village of St. Joseph, the site of St. Daniel’s martyrdom, proved to be inconclusive. Artifacts found by local farmers would be brought to the Shrine and housed in the Museum of Indian Antiquities and later displayed at the Inn. Many belongings of the Hurons and the missionaries of the seventeenth century found a home at Martyrs' Shrine.

In 1949 the Shrine celebrated the 300th anniversary of the martyrdoms of Sts. Brebeuf, Lalemant, Garnier, and Chabanel. On June 26th, 1949, pilgrims from Quebec brought the skull of St. Brebeuf to the Shrine. On July 10th, Iroquois chiefs from Cauhgnawaga visited the Shrine in a symbolic gesture of peace and good will. The Governor General, Lord Viscount Alexander, and his wife came to the Shrine July 26, 1949. But by far the most spectacular event that took place in 1949 was Fr. Daniel Lord’s Pageant “Salute to Canada”, celebrating the work of the Martyrs and their role in shaping Canada's identity. It was presented over 5 nights from July 27- 31 and was a great success. Approximately 8000 spectators witnessed the performance each night. As a finale, God blessed the crowd with a magnificent halo around the Shrine during one of the performances, a sign from the Living God, dwelling in our midst.

HOME OF PEACE, SYMBOL OF HOPE 1950- 1973

For many new Catholic Canadians, Martyrs' Shrine has been a home away from home. Catholics who have come to Canada to escape persecution find peace at the Shrine. This has been especially true for those of Eastern European origins. During the height of the Cold War, many of the many of the ethnic monuments seen on the Shrine grounds today were erected in memory of those who suffered for the faith under communist tyranny. For decades, tears were shed and prayers rose like incense for the liberation of Eastern Europe. In 1950, a family Rosary Crusade Rally took on May 24, and in 1952 the Shrine began its "Rosary for Peace" radio broadcast. Every day for thirteen years people prayed the rosary on CFOR Orillia. As well, the relics of the Martyrs visited churches throughout Canada in 1950, bringing consolation to those who venerated them. The Slovak Cross (1950; most recent renewal 1998) and the Lithuanian Cross (1957- renewed 1973) were erected in memory of their countrymen who were killed back home by the communists. In 1956, Polish pilgrims gave the Shrine a beautiful painting of Our Lady of Czestochowa and erected an outdoor altar in her honour (1973). Many other Eastern European pilgrims came to the Shrine to place their hope in God, and asked Mary, the Canadian Martyrs, all the angels and saints, to protect and liberate their homeland. The land of the exiled seventeenth century Hurons became the spiritual home of twentieth century refugees fleeing religious and political persecution.

Ste. Marie among the Hurons, the original Home of Peace in Canada and dedicated to our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, continued to be excavated. Wilfred Jury completed his dig in 1951 and then went on to excavate the site of St. Louis in 1952, proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that this was the village where Sts. Brebeuf and Lalemant were captured bfore their martyrdom at St. Ignace II. Fr. Denis Hegarty SJ, who was Jesuit in charge of excavations during Jury's dig, continued to excavate Ste. Marie I until 1963. On August 17, 1954 he discovered the grave of St. Jean de Brebeuf, with the assistance of Rosemary Hughes and James Hood, workers at the Shrine. Rosemary entered the Sisters of Charity the following year, and took the name Sr. Jean de Brebeuf. In 1955, descendants of the Wendats (Hurons) from Jeune Lorette in Quebec, visited the Shrine in August and prayed at the tomb of their Apostle and the graves of their ancestors. Fr. Hegarty continued to search for the grave of St. Gabriel Lalemant, which he found around 1959. The empty grave of Lalemant was found within the foundations of a large building attached to the Church in which Brebeuf's grave was found. In 1964, the Jesuits of Upper Canada and the Province of Ontario entered into an agreement which would see Ste. Marie I reconstructed. Wilfred Jury was in charge of the reconstruction, which was generally based on his archaeological findings alone (1948- 1951). The archaeological discoveries of Fr. Hegarty (1955- 1963) were not included in the reconstruction. In 1967, the Centennial Year of Canada, the Father General of the Society of Jesus, Very Rev. Pedro Arrupe SJ visited Ste. Marie for a blessing ceremony, as well as visiting other hallowed sites. In 1968, the historic site of Ste. Marie was officially opened, three hundred and nineteen years after it was abandoned and destroyed by the first Jesuit missionaries to Huronia. The artifacts that were on display at the Shrine were loaned to the government for display, and later the Shrine's artifact collection was turned over to the government for proper care and storage. Ste. Marie welcomes many visitors from around the world as well as numerous school groups. The daily life of the seventeenth century missionaries and their Wendat hosts are brought to life by informed costumed historical interpreters. Excavations sporadically continue and new discoveries are being made- some validating the work of Fr. Hegarty.

During these years, the Shrine welcomed many dignitaries. On August 29, 1952, Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent and his wife visited the Shrine and the Midland area. On July 13th, 1957, Paul-Emile Cardinal Leger came to Martyrs' Shrine with pilgrims from Quebec and prayed at St. Ignace II. The Apostolic Delegate, Most Rev. Baggio celebrated Mass July 31, 1962, the Feast day of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits. And on August 3rd, 1969, Apostolic Delegate Most Rev. Clarizio came to the Shrine.

The Shrine itself went through many changes with the new Sacred Heart Gardens being blessed in 1955, a new gift shop (1956), and the Old Fort Ste. Marie Inn being dismantled in 1970- 1971. For the Jesuits, the Shrine was the perfect setting for meetings, retreats, and ordinations.

During this period, the Shrine had three Directors. Fr Lally (who died at the Shrine at the end of the season, October 13, 1953), Fr. John McCaffery SJ (1953- September 1969), and Fr. Angus MacDougall SJ (1969- March, 1974). Under their pastoral care, the Shrine bore witness to God's constant activity in the midst of His people by consoling and giving hope to all His children.

THE GREAT MYSTERY AND THE GREAT PILGRIMAGE 1974- 1984

In 1974, Fr. Winston Rye SJ became the new Director of the Shrine (Director, 1974-1978) and was followed by Fr. Edwin Merchant SJ (Director 1978- 1981). Under their care, the Shrine continued to see a quarter of a million pilgrims each season. Soon new devotional monuments were erected. The Native Prayer Garden, honouring those native peoples who converted to Christianity was dedicated on August 29th, 1976. On June 26th, 1977 a new statue of Kateri was unveiled. New Catholic immigrants to Canada from Korea and the Philippines visited the Shrine.

From July 8th- 10th, 1976 Sr. Marie Robichaud made a visit to the Shrine. She was miraculously cured in 1926 of tuberculous peritonitis after a Novena to the Martyrs was prayed for her intention and because of this cure the Martyrs were eventually canonized in 1930. On the 50th anniversary of her cure she and the sisters who accompanied her attended a special thanksgiving Mass. The Lt.- Governor of Ontario, Madame Pauline McGibbon visited the Shrine on August 12, 1977 as well as other dignitaries during this time.

The years 1975 and 1976 were important anniversaries in the history of the Shrine. First, there was the 50th anniversary of the first modern pilgrimage to Ste. Marie I, in honour of the Beatification of the Martyrs (June 21, 1925). A special Mass was celebrated at the reconstructed mission village of Ste. Marie I. In 1976, the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Shrine was celebrated on June 26th. Of interest, a Cardinal from Poland visited his dispersed countrymen in Canada during this year (1976) and planned to visit the Shrine during his stay. The trip to the Shrine, however, was difficult to fit into his hectic schedule. This Cardinal would return to Canada and visit the Shrine in eight short years....

On August 21, 1977, then Bishop Emmett Carter of London concelebrated at the Polish Pilgrimage Mass and during his homily he shared his experiences during his recent trip to Poland. When in Poland he gave the Polish Church a gift of a reliquary of the Canadian Martyrs from the Shrine. He concelebrated Mass with Cardinal Wojtyla, archbishop of Cracau (Krakow). On October 16th, 1978, Cardinal Wojtyla became Pope John Paul II. The prayers of many Eastern European pilgrims visiting Martyrs Shrine were answered through the intercession of the Canadian Martyrs. Soon this Pope would visit the Shrine, three hundred and forty years after his predecessor Pope Urban VIII declared the Church of Saint Joseph at Ste. Marie I a pilgrimage site.

In 1980, Canada had very good reasons to celebrate. Not only was it the 50th anniversary of the Canonization of the Martyrs (June 29th, 1930), but three Canadians were beatified that year- Bishop Laval, Marie de l'Incarnation and Kateri Tekakwitha. A special Mass was celebrated on June 22, 1980 to honour Bl. Kateri, who was beatified that day in Rome by Pope John Paul II. The Shrine also saw Governor General Shreyer and his wife pay a visit on June 19th.

On May 1st, 1981, the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, patron saint of Canada, and the beginning of the month honouring his most holy spouse Mary the Mother of God, Queen of the Martyrs, Fr. James Farrell SJ became Director of the Shrine (Director 1981- 1996). Fr. Farrell immediately went to work and had the interior of the Shrine renovated in 1982 (with the financial assistance of the Knights of Columbus of the Archdiocese of Toronto). A basement was added and named the Filion Centre (honouring the builder of the Shrine, Fr. J. Filion SJ). The Native Prayer Garden was improved and a Brebeuf Prayer Garden was added overlooking the Wye River. As well, a shrine honouring Our Lady of Huronia and new statues of the Martyrs graced the grounds of the Shrine. The Shrine also began offering pilgrimages to many holy sites throughout the world with the guidance of Br. James Mara SJ. It was during this season that the Polish community began their annual walking pilgrimage to the Shrine. The only one of its kind in Canada.

On February 26th, 1982, Pope John Paul II renewed in perpetuity a plenary indulgence for pilgrims who pray at the Shrine. This was promulgated 382 years after Pope Urban VIII issued the first indulgence granted to the church of St Joseph at Ste. Marie I in 1644. Also, it was announced in 1982 that the Pope would come to Canada, and quite possibly to the Shrine. Preparations were to be made quickly for this great pilgrimage. Under the direction of Mr. Raymond Piitz, the Papal Field and the Papal Altar were constructed to welcome the Pope and the thousands of pilgrims wishing to pray with him at the Shrine. On September 15th, 1984, his Holiness Pope John Paul II came to the Shrine and proclaimed, "Here stands Martyrs' Shrine, a symbol of hope and faith; a symbol of the Triumph of the Cross". Here Pope John Paul II blessed a 62 foot (19m) cross on the highest point of the Shrine property to forever proclaim the triumph over sin and death won by Christ's death and Resurrection. The Pope venerated the relics of the Martyrs and a granite monument was blessed by the Pope to forever remember this great pilgrimage of the Vicar of Christ.

MEMORY, PRESENCE, PROPHECY, 1985- 2006

The second half of the 1980's and early 1990's were full of celebrations of past historic events in the life of the Shrine, the Jesuits, the Mission to the Hurons and the Church in Canada. In 1985, the Shrine commemorated its 60th anniversary. The year 1989 saw the 350th anniversary of the building of Ste. Marie I and the Bishops of Ontario issued a document in honour of this occasion and made a pilgrimage to this holy site. Celebrations continued into the 1990’s for Jesuits around the world as they commemorated St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus, who was born in 1490. In 1992, the Archdiocese of Toronto celebrated its 150^th anniversary at the Shrine and on that occasion the Jesuits in Quebec presented the skull of St. Brebeuf to the Shrine in honour of the 150^th anniversary of the Order returning to Canada. The year 1993 would be the 400^th anniversary of the birth of St. Brebeuf.

The beginning of the New Millennium inaugurated the third millennium of the Gospel. Leading up to Jubilee 2000, the Shrine and the local area celebrated the return of the dispersed Wendat (Hurons) in 1999. Over 500 descendants of the Hurons gathered to restore family ties and to bury the remains of their ancestors, which had been excavated and stored at the Royal Ontario Museum since 1946. There was much joy to be shared at all of the ceremonies and festivities. The Wendat Gathering continues to be an annual event. It is with great joy that the Shrine celebrates the familial unity of the Wendat- those who call Huronia their ancestral home and whose ancestors welcomed the Jesuit missionaries of so long ago into their cabins. The Wendat's generosity and hospitality toward the Jesuit martyrs will truly live on in history.

The year 1999 was also the 350^th anniversary of the martyrdoms of Sts. Brebeuf, Lalemant, Garnier, and Chabanel. Fr. Carl Matthews SJ celebrated a special Mass at St. Ignace II on March 16^th – the anniversary of the capture and martyrdoms of Brebeuf and Lalemant (St. Lalemant died on March 17^th). St. Ignace II also was graced with a plaque in honour of Alphonse Arpin (1996) and a roof for the outdoor chapel in 1998, both a gift of the late Michael Bernier, grandson of Alphonse Arpin.

During the 1980’s and 1990’s new shrines graced the grounds and new annual pilgrimage groups began. The Croatian, Filipino (the late Cardinal Sin was present and blessed the Filipino shrine), and Portuguese shrines were dedicated in 1986, followed by the Italian (1987), Belarusian (1988), Holy Crucifixion (1994), Ukrainian, (blessed July 28^th, 1996), and a shrine in honour of St. Francis of Assisi erected by the Order of Alhambra on September 20^th, 1998. New Canadians from India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka began annual pilgrimages to the Shrine. The Sacred Heart Gardens became the Irish Peace Garden in 2001 and Irish pilgrims have come to the Shrine annually since then. The Shrine began its annual Living Rosary in 1985. In the special Marian Year of 1988, the St. Joseph Fountain was installed in honour of the spouse of Mary. On September 11^th, 1988, the annual Rosary Sunday at the Shrine, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, was a particularly memorable event, paying tribute to Mary, Mother of God. Daily devotions and three days of special celebration with a public Marian Lecture (August 13th- 15^th) allowed pilgrims to express their love for the Queen of the Martyrs. In 1995, the Our Lady of Huronia Shrine was renewed with a beautiful bronze coloured bas relief of the Martyrs. In 1999, a beautiful statue of St. Terese was presented to the Shrine by the Gouin family in honour of the patron of Missions.

The new group pilgrimages include: Vietnamese (1985), Spanish (1994), Chaldean (1996) and the Chinese community (1998). One special feature of the Spanish pilgrimage is the overnight youth penance vigil, highlighted by a re-enacted Stations of the Cross prayer service. In 1995 one hundred pilgrims visited the Shrine from St. Brebeuf’s home region of Normandy, walking on the ground where their holy countryman’s feet passed.

In 1986 the Father General of the Society of Jesus, the Very Reverend Peter-Hans Kolvenbach SJ made a special pilgrimage to the Shrine and Ste. Marie I as well as the northern Ontario Jesuit mission to the Native Peoples.

Even though the Shrine was blessed by many special events, it was saddened with the deaths of Mr. Joseph Goetz, a long time employee at the Shrine in July, 1991; Br. James Mara SJ, in July, 1992; and Fr. James Farrell SJ, the Director, who died in his room on August 7^th, 1996. His funeral Mass was at the Shrine on Monday, August 12^th, the anniversary of the first Mass to be celebrated in Ontario (August 12, 1615). The Church was full and some had to watch the Funeral Mass in the Filion Centre on closed circuit television. Two bishops were present for his funeral along with over one hundred priests. After Fr. Farrell’s death, Fr. Don Beaudois SJ became Director (Director, 1996- 1999). His pastoral gifts and leadership during these years were a great blessing.

The year 2001 was the 75^th anniversary of Martyrs’ Shrine. Fr. Robert Wong SJ, who became the Director in August 1999, organized a three-day celebration for grateful pilgrims of the Shrine culminating with a special anniversary Mass, concelebrated with four bishops. On October 14^th, 2001, at the end of the 75^th anniversary season, the relics of St. Terese of Lisieux (St. Theresa of the Little Flower) were brought to the Shrine- a very fitting honour that the Patron Saint of Missions would bless the Shrine with her presence. Along with these celebrations, Fr. Wong also created a beautiful Loyola Prayer room, replaced some of the stained glass windows and statues in the Shrine church, and completed the much needed repairs on the church and throughout the grounds.

The Shrine has been a gathering place for all of humanity- Canadian born Catholics, immigrant Catholics from the world over, non-Catholic Christians and those of other faiths, young and old alike. Throughout its life, many school children have come to the Shrine on pilgrimage with their class, and young people from around the world have come with their families. In 1993, six hundred young people stayed at the Shrine on August 7^th and 8^th, on their way to World Youth Days in Denver. The Filion Centre became a home away from home for these young pilgrims wanting to celebrate their faith with others of their age and with the Pope. In 1997, the Archdiocese of Toronto began organizing its Lasting Treasures Youth Conferences, at which young people would camp at the Shrine and participate in many events in song and prayer.

All these events helped prepare the Shrine for the 2002 World Youth Days in Toronto. One week before these events in Toronto, the Shrine hosted 700 young pilgrims from 26 different countries for one week of celebrations. This event was named ANIA 2002 and during the week the pilgrims enjoyed many of the local sites and were given an opportunity to reflect on their faith. The highlight of ANIA was the pilgrimage to St. Ignace II and the welcoming of the World Youth Day Cross, which stayed overnight at the Shrine. Once the ANIA participants left the Shrine for Toronto, the Shrine welcomed thousands of other World Youth Day pilgrims from around the world. Each year since World Youth Days 2002, the Office of Catholic Youth in Toronto has sponsored an overnight rally at the Shrine, which include Mass, evening prayer, small group discussions, guest speakers, open air concerts, and time for fun. Sunday Mass was celebrated with Cardinal Ambrosic.

After the World Youth Day Celebrations in Toronto, the Shrine was host to 35,000 pilgrims associated with the Neo-catechumenate movement. During the hot summer day these pilgrims listened to testimonies of how God was working in the lives of His People. Hundreds of young people made a public commitment to seek how God was calling them to serve His People.

On September 26^th, 2003 Fr. Alex Kirsten SJ was named the tenth Director of the Shrine (Fr. Filion being considered the Shrine’s founder). This year the Shrine celebrated the Arch-Diocesan Year of the Rosary on September 26th, on the Candian Feast Day of The Martyrs. Thousands were in attendance, lifting their prayers to Heaven, honouring Mary, the Mother of God and Queen of the Martyrs. Achbishop Cardinal Ambrozic presided at the Living Rosary. 2004 saw the restoration of many statues in the Shrine as well as the repair of the beautiful stained glass windows. Other improvements will be made over the next few years at the Shrine under the direction of an active Board of Trustees.

2005 was the 75^th anniversary of the canonization of the Martyrs and the 25^th anniversary of the beatification of Kateri Tekakwitha. The Church was decorated with colourful banner throughout the nave as well as on the sanctuary. A display in the Filion Centre highlighted the canonization of the Martyrs that took place in Rome, June 29th, 1930. As well, there was a memorial display of Pope John Paul II's visit to the Shrine in 1984. The Knights of Columbus participated in their first annual retreat at the Shrine and were on hand at the dedication of the new stone flower beds leading up to the church. Over two hundred youth spent a weekend at the Shrine in prayer and celebration. Many of these young pilgrims went to Cologne (Koln) Germany for World Youth Days. Present at the Croatian pilgrimage was the Cardinal of Zagreb, who was also at the election of our present Pope, Benedict XVI. The Polish community installed a beautiful mosaic of the Black Madonna of Czestochowa at their Shrine. The Champlain Room Banquet Hall was renovated and an educational- research centre will be ready for the 2006 season.

For Jesuits around the world, 2006 was a special year of celebration. It marked the 500th anniversary of the birth of the great Jesuit missionary, St. Francis Xavier, and also of one of the first Jesuits, Bl. Pierre Favre. It was also the 450th anniversary of the death of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus. The 80th anniversary of the Shrine was celebrated with a special Mass on June 26th, presided by Auxiliary Bishop Peter Hundt, who also blessed a commemorative plaque during the Mass. Numerous dignitaries and devote pilgrims were present at this special occasion.

MEMORY, PRESENCE, PROPHECY, 2007- present

The year 2007 saw many school groups participate in the "Walk Where They Walked" education program and stayed in the newly renovated LaLande Youth Hostel. In July, Archbishop Thomas Collins arrived at the Shrine for the Arch- diocesan Youth Rally, along with Auxiliary Bishop Gerard Bergie from Hamilton. The Youth Rally welcomed walking pilgrims from Toronto under the leadership of Fr. Han Soo. They took nine days to walk to the Shrine, then walked three hours on Sunday July 22nd to St. Ignace II for Mass from the Shrine. Next year, the Shrine will be hosting World Youth Day Rally, which will coincide with the celebrations in Sydney Australia. For the eighth consecutive year, the descendants of the Wendat gathered at their camp site of Ossossane, and made special visits to Ste. Marie I and II, as well as St. Ignace II (on Saturday, July 14th)- the martyrdom site of Saints Brebeuf and Lalemant. It was a time for them to remember and heal the pain of the past caused by war, disease, and famine. The Shrine flew the Wendat flag during their stay in the area. This year also saw the largest Tamil pilgrimage to the Shrine with an estimated fifty- five hundred pilgrims in attendance. On August 11th, auxiliary bishop R. Grecco of the arch- diocese of Toronto blessed a statue of Bl. Pedro Calungsod for the Filipino community shrine. As well, the annual Polish walking pilgrimage had one thousand participants celebrate its 25th anniversary. Retired auxiliary bishop Matthew Ustrzycki of Hamilton presided over their arrival Mass. In spite of the rain, there were over ten thousand pilgrims attending the Polish Pilgrimage on Sunday, the 12th of August, welcoming the Bishop Dlugosz of Czestochowa, Poland. It was a great honour having the bishop of Czestochowa Poland celebrate Mass at the "Czestochowa of Canada". On Saturday, September 15th, a new Shrine was added to the grounds in honour of St. Andrew Kim, the first Korean priest who was martyred in 1846 and beatified in 1925- the same year as our Canadian Martyrs. St. Kim was canonized in 1984, the same year Pope John Paul II visited the Shrine.

Before the openning of the Shrine in 2008, the Ark of the New Covenant came to the Shrine on Easter Sunday, before making its way to Quebec for the Eucharistic Congress being held there in June.   Many pilgrimage groups visited the Shrine before and after the Eucharistic Congress.  This year, The Knights of Columbus had their annual tri- zone retreat and were present for the blessing of the new steps and entrance ways to the Shrine, which they donated.  This year, the Tamil pilgrimage had over 6,500 participants.  On July 17th, The Shrine welcomed approximately 400 young people from neighbouring diocese as they celebrated World Youth Days.  The camping young pilgrims had three days of scheduled events, including catecheses with Bishops Hundt and Bergie; games and music;  adoration of the Blessed Sacrament; prayer and liturgy presided over by Bishops Boissoneau and Greco on Saturday and Sunday respectively.  As well, the icon of St. Paul arrived at the Shrine and remained for seven days for pilgrims to venerate this image of this great Apostle before it continues its route throughout the arch- diocese.  The new Superior of the Province of English Canada, Fr. Jim Webb SJ, gave the homily and was the main celebrant for the Feast Day Mass.  Concelebrating with Fr. Webb and fellow Canadian and American Jesuit priests was the Jesuit Superior of West Africa. iThe Church was full of pilgrims and of special note were members of the Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Corps stationed at base Borden who have St. Jean de Brebeuf as their regiment's patron.  Finally, novices of seven Jesuit Provinces- two Canadian and five American- were present and assisted at the Mass.  

Martyrs' Shrine will continue to be a meeting place of all humanity. The Jesuit and lay staff joyfully serve the spiritual and temporal needs of people visiting the Shrine from the four corners of the earth. With their assistance, pilgrims can return home spiritually and physically refreshed so that they too may share with others the joy of the Gospel message. May our lives be inspired by the Canadian Jesuit Martyrs- apostles of the Faith to Canada.

The Shrine Archives