Canadian Martyrs Pilgrimage 2023 Recap

Friday September 29 & Saturday September 30, 2023 

On Friday September 29, 50 men and boys, including boarders from OLMC, gathered at the Church of the Canadian Martyrs in Warminster to begin the extended Pilgrimage. After Mass, celebrated by Fr. Perrot, the men went to Couchiching Park in Orillia to begin their pilgrimage walk. Then, 30km and 8 hours later, they ended their day walk in Coldwater.  After a good meal, they settled in for a good night’s rest.  

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The next morning, these valorous men walked from Coldwater to St. Ignace II - the site of the Martyrdom of St. Jean de Brébeuf and St. Gabriel Lalemant, where they were met by other faithful from across Ontario.  

A solemn high Mass was celebrated on site, attended by nearly 300 faithful including families, children, and young people. Fr. Emanuel Herkel was the celebrant, assisted by Fr. Boulet as deacon and Fr. Perrot as subdeacon. Altar boys and choir members, from Orillia and New Hamburg, contributed to the beauty of the ceremony.  This year, for the first time, we had relics of all Canadian martyrs on the altar.   It means that our holy martyrs attended this Mass in their honour, not only with their souls, but also with the relics of their sacred bodies. 

 
Following the Mass, pilgrims headed on their way towards Midland. The group from the Church of the Canadian Martyrs, Warminster (Orillia), spearheaded by Fr. Herkel, took the lead.  The faithful joined together in prayer and song as they walked along towards the Martyrs' Shrine Pilgrim Route.  

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The lunch break was held in Victoria Harbour, giving everyone a chance to take some rest and socialize with fellow parishioners, while enjoying the gorgeous weather as they admired the beautiful Georgian Bay.  

After lunch, the pilgrimage continued with smaller groups, joyfully singing and praying as they neared the National Shrine to the Canadian Martyrs.  

Upon arriving through the gates of the Martyrs' Shrine, the pilgrims took the final steps up to the beautiful stone Shrine Church dedicated to St. Joseph.  

The faithful entered the beautiful church and knelt in a prayer of thanksgiving for the graces received during the pilgrimage. Fr. Boulet extended a blessing to all those in attendance with the relics of the Canadian Martyrs. Each of the faithful were able to kiss the relics and kneel and pray before them, including half of the skull of St. Jean de Brébeuf. 

Afterward, many of the faithful shared in fellowship and food back at the Church of the Canadian Martyrs in Warminster as they welcomed Fr. Herkel back to the community as their new priest. The entire pilgrimage weekend was a true testament to the beauty of the faith. It was a blessing to be joined by those from communities across Ontario as we together celebrated our glorious martyrs, who sowed the seed of Faith in the vast regions of Canada. 

Thank you to all who helped to organize this pilgrimage, including those who accompanied the pilgrims, making sure that they were keeping safe and well-hydrated.  We would also like to thank our faithful priests who walked alongside the pilgrims, providing the Sacraments to the faithful.  Finally, thank you to all of the pilgrims who joined, whether they came to the Mass, walked 1km, or walked 50km!  

This wonderful event takes place each year, so please join us next time! 

St. Jean de Brébeuf, Pray for Us. 

St. Gabriel Lalemant, Pray for Us. 

St. Charles Garnier, Pray for Us. 

St. Noël Chabanel, Pray for Us. 

St. Antoine Daniel, Pray for Us. 

St. Jean de Lalande, Pray for Us. 

St. Isaac Jogues, Pray for Us. 

St. René Goupil, Pray for Us.