Magnificat Students Make Third Annual Pilgrimage to Shrine of the North American Martyrs

This past Saturday, on the day after the Memorial of Sts. Isaac Jogues, Jean de Brebeuf and Companions, the children of Magnificat Academy and Choir School made their third annual pilgrimage to the Auriesville, New York Shrine of the North American Martyrs. The Shrine is located on the site of a Mohawk village known as Ossernenon, and was the site of the martyrdom of St. Isaac, St. Rene Goupil, and St. John Lalande. The village of Ossernenon was also the birthplace of Bl. Kateri Tekakwitha.

The school was quite blessed to have Sisters Clare and Jacinta from the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal, Father Christopher of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, and several of the Sisters' postulants and lay helpers, lead a mini-retreat while at the shrine. Following the path of the Ravine, students, teachers and parents heard the story of the the martyrs, who gave their lives spreading the Gospel to the Native American peoples. The Sisters gave inspiring talks on finding their vocations, choosing between inspiration and temptation, and capping the day in the late afternoon was the Magnificat choir singing for Mass, celebrated by Fr. Christopher, at the shrine's lovely coliseum church.

Entrance to the shrine. Each cross bears the name of one of the martyrs.


The outdoor chapel.
We were certainly blessed with a beautiful autumn day for our pilgrimage, despite a few showers!


In the outdoor chapel, the students hear a presentation led by Renewal Sisters Clare and Jacinta and Renewal Friar Fr. Christopher about Inspiration vs. Temptation.


The group kneels before the Crucifix at the end of the Ravine path.

Rosaries hung on a statue of the Blessed Mother, and the walk leading to the Pieta were other lovely sights seen on the shrine's grounds.

Many, many thanks to the folks at the Shrine, and to the Sisters, Friars, and their helpers, who helped make this day possible for us!