FFRROOMM TTHHEE DDIIRREECCTTOORR

Dear Friends of the Martyrs’ Shrine,By the time you receive this edition of the Martyrs’

Shrine Message we will be well into our 2010 season. Theearly days of May and June gave us weather that was not toospectacular. We, no doubt like you, have had our fair share ofwet days and hot and humid days. I suspect however, that notmany of you have experienced a tornado like the one we expe-rienced at the end of June. Look for the article and pictures ofthis violent storm that almost gave us the 2010 season thatnever was. Two of the three larger pilgrimages in the monthof June were all lucky with respect to the poorer weather. Theywere well attended and got through their pilgrimage eventswithout any rain. The Italian pilgrimage had some light rainbut their pilgrims did not let the damp weather dampen theirspirits. After all, the Archbishop’s presence to bless the new

Fr. Bressani monument gave them plenty of reason to celebrate despite the weather.As the middle of July approaches and folks are contemplating what to do on their summer

holidays, we are confident that the promised warm days of summer will give us our hoped forincrease in the number of pilgrims attending the Shrine. We have a full roster of ethnic pilgrim-ages for the months of July and August this 2010. Elsewhere in this publication be sure to find the2010 schedule.

The Walk Where They Walked program was quite a success this spring. We hosted some1000 students over the spring session. The fall session looks to be filling up nicely as well withsome 300 students already booked to do the program. The success of this program continues to bea great blessing to the Shrine. This is especially true when one keeps in mind that these young folkare our pilgrims of the future.

The Six Weeks A Jesuit program will be held once again this year. This year we have onlyone Six Weeks A Jesuit candidate with us. The program is meant to introduce the candidate to Jesuitworks and Jesuit community life. His name is Larry Smith and you will find contributions by himelsewhere in this edition of the Shrine newsletter. I invite you to pray for him over the summer ashe discerns to what state of life God is calling him.

For those who visit us in 2010 you will note the Shrine Church’s upper level of sidinghas now been refurbished. This is the gift of the Knights of Columbus of southern Ontario. Overthe years this siding lost much of its colour and has become stained with moss. The project involvedthe power washing, sealing and re-staining of the siding. The project is now done for the 2010season.

May the good Lord bless and keep you and yours over the summer. A friend in the Lord,

Rev. Alex Kirsten, S.J., Director

What’sInside

Director’s MessagePage 1

Fr. Bressani—Canada’s FirstItalian Jesuit

Page 2Who are These Holy Martyrs?

Page 3Novena to the

Canadian MartyrsPrayersPage 4

History and ArchaeologyWorking Together

Page 5 and 6* * Tear- o ff Flap **

Prayer Pet i t ions MSA Membership Renewal

Prayer Requests

The Shrine and the MidlandTornadoPage 7

Putting a Face to the NamePage 8

Vol. 75 No. 2 2010

FATHER BRESSANI - CANADA’S FIRST ITALIAN JESUITby Larry Smith

“Fr. Francois-Joseph Bressani, whom we had been expecting for four years, finally arrived here among the Hurons at the beginning ofautumn. If he had not been taken captive by the Iroquois on his first trip, he would already know the Huron language and would be a trainedworkman. But it must be acknowledged that God’s providences are gracious. The crueltieswhich some Hurons who escaped saw him suffer among the Iroquois, and his mutilated hands- the fingers having been cut off - rendered him a better preacher than us since the time of hisarrival, and have served more than all our tongues to give a better conception than ever to ourHuron Christians of the truths of our Faith.” - Paul Ragueneau, S.J., 1646, Huron Relations for 1646, Chapter 5On June 26, 2010, at the Martyrs’ Shrine, Archbishop Thomas Collins unveiled and blessed astatue of Francesco Giuseppe Bressani which was donated by Mr. Cortellucci for the Italiancommunity of Toronto. The statue overlooks the Papal Altar with great dignity, a replica of hisfamous map of Huronia in his left hand and his disfigured right hand clutching of copy of TheGospel. Although Bressani was not martyred, his work among the Hurons exemplified thebravery and heroism of his French Jesuit brothers. Francesco Giuseppe Bressani, born in Rome on May 6, 1612, entered the Jesuit novitiate at theage of 14. He studied philosophy at the Roman College then taught Italian literature in Jesuitschools for three years. Following this he resumed his studies in Rome and Paris, then taughtfor several years before being ordained in 1642. Bressani, being attracted to the work being donein the New World, asked to be assigned to New France. His superior granted him this privilegemaking him the first Italian to work with the French Jesuits in Canada. For the first two years he was stationed at Quebec and Trois-Rivières.However, in 1644 permission was granted for him to travel 1,300 kilometers into the interior to work with the Hurons. He, one French boyand six Christian Hurons began their journey on April 27, 1644. They never arrived at their destination. Soon after their departure, MohawkIroquois ambushed and captured Bressani and his colleagues. Bressani was forced to witness the torture of one of his Huron companions.Afterward, he and the other prisoners were taken to Mohawk territory south of New France. There he himself became the victim ofextensive torture, partially losing the fingers on his right hand and several times coming close to death. Fortunately, an old Mohawk womanwho had lost her grandfather to Huron warriors years before, bargained a few beads to acquire Bressani thus relieving him of further tor-

ture. Eventually, he was traded to the Dutch who helped him to return to France in November 1644. Undaunted by his experience, Bressani asked to return to New France. In July 1645 he foundhimself in Trois-Rivières presiding over peace talks with the Iroquois, having to negotiate withthose who, the previous year, had been his torturers. He then made his way into Huron territory andjoined his Jesuit brothers at Sainte-Marie. He proved to be extremely effective in his work eventhough his initial knowledge of the Huron language was limited. The scars of his torture and miss-ing digits on his right hand served as sufficient testimony to the strength of his faith. He workedtirelessly with his fellow Jesuits and made frequent trips to Quebec as part of his ministry. In 1648 the Iroquois broke the peace treaty and resumed attacks on the Hurons. As a result, Sts.Jean de Brébeuf, Gabriel Lalemant, Antoine Daniel, Charles Garnier, and Noël Chabanel were mar-tyred in the ensuing year and a half. Bressani left for Quebec to plead for military help. After sev-eral frustrated attempts to return to Huronia, during which he sustained three arrow wounds to thehead, he managed to make his way back to the mission. Half way through his journey he met theremaining Jesuits and Hurons retreating to Quebec. All hope of continuing the mission in Huroniawas abandoned. Bressani returned to Italy in 1650 where he published Breve Relatione de d'Alcune Missioni de'PPdella Compagnia di Giesu nella Nuo Francia in 1653; the only Relation written in Italian. In 1957,Bressani created one of the first maps of New France and surrounding territories, a copy of whichcan be seen in the Shrine Museum. His fame spread throughout Italy and he continued his ministryuntil he died on September 9, 1672.

In Canada, the legacy of his writing continues in the Italian community with the Bressani Prize established to reward Italian Canadian writ-ers for excellence. And now, with the addition of the statue on the Shrine grounds, Bressani’s legacy can be appreciated in conjunction withthe eight Canadian martyred saints.Page -2- Martyrs’ Shrine MESSAGE

Martyrs’ Shrine MESSAGE Page -3-

Who Are These Holy Martyrs?The Iroquois set fire to the Chapel and threw his body intothe flames. He was Martyred at Mount St. Louis, 12 milesfrom Ste. Marie at the age of 48.Saint Charles Garnier, S.J. Martyred December 7, 1649.

Charles Garnier, a Parisian, a Jesuit, and a priest, wasattracted to the arduous Missions of Canada. He came toHuronia at the age of thirty-one and for thirteen yearslaboured among the Hurons and Petuns. He was a victim ofthe Iroquois massacre of the village of Etharita, thirty milesfrom Ste. Marie. He refused to escape but exercised hischarity to the end. Saint Charles Garnier was always aperson of innocence and purity with a strong devotion toOur Lady whom he acknowledged looked after him as ayouth. Gentle, innocent, fearless, he succeeded in winningmany souls to God both at St. Joseph’s Mission and amongthe Petuns.Saint Noël Chabanel, S.J. Martyred December 8, 1649.

Noël Chabanel became a Jesuit at the age of seventeen,a priest at twenty-eight, and was a successful professor andhumanist in France. Experiencing a strong desire toconsecrate himself to the Canadian Missions, he arrived inQuebec in 1643 and then travelled to Huronia. Theenthusiasm of the young missionary quickly lost its glamour.Unable to learn the Native language, feeling useless in theministry, sensitive to the surroundings, his life was to be oneunbroken chain of disappointments, an ordeal that hehimself called a “bloodless Martyrdom.” Tempted to returnto France, he bound himself by a vow to remain in NewFrance till death. For two years he stood in the shadow ofdeath and then was slain secretly by an apostate Huron onthe banks of the Nottawasaga, twenty-five miles from Ste.Marie on December 8, 1649.Saint René Goupil, S.J. Martyred September 29, 1642.

René Goupil entered the Jesuit Order but had to leavebecause of ill health. He studied medicine and then offeredhis services to the Jesuit Missions in Canada. On his way toHuron country with Isaac Jogues in 1642, they werecaptured by the Iroquois, tortured and taken to the Mohawkcountry. On the journey to Mohawk country he begged IsaacJogues to receive his vows. A month later he wasmartyred for making the sign of the cross on a little Nativechild. He was martyred at Auriesville, N.Y. at the age ofthirty-five, on September 29, 1642.Saint Jean de LaLande, S.J. Martyred October 19, 1646.

Jean de LaLande was a young layman who offered hisservices to the Jesuits of New France. He accompanied IsaacJogues to the Mohawk Mission in 1646, knowing what hemight have to suffer, gladly offering himself as a companionto Jogues and looking to God to protect him and to be hisreward if the sacrifice of his life was demanded. With IsaacJogues, he was tortured and threatened with death. He saw themartyrdom of Jogues on October 18. He himself wasmartyred on the following day at Auriesville, N.Y.

Saint Jean de Brébeuf, S.J. Martyred March 16, 1649.Jean de Brébeuf, born in Normandy, was ordained to the

priesthood at the age of 33. He was the first Jesuit Missionaryin Huronia (1626), a master of the Native language, workedthrough all the district of Huronia for thirteen years, foundedMission outposts and converted thousands to the faith. He wasknown as the Apostle of the Hurons. He was massive in body,strong, yet gentle in character. Before leaving Normandy, herevealed his sentiments. “I felt a strong desire to suffersomething for Christ.” He made a vow signed in his blood,never to refuse the offer of Martyrdom if asked to die forChrist. He was captured March 16, 1649 and tortured forhours. He was Martyred at St. Ignace, six miles from Ste.Marie, at the age of 56.Saint Isaac Jogues, S.J. Martyred October 18, 1646.

Isaac Jogues was a priest only seven months and was 29years of age when he came to Canada in 1636. He set out atonce for Huronia. For three years he served at Missionoutposts, instructing and baptizing. On a return journey fromQuebec, he was captured by the Iroquois, brutally tortured,and made a slave. Thirteen months later he escaped toFrance. By the next year he was back in Canada and wassent as an emissary to discuss a treaty with the Iroquois. Hewent, “his heart seized with dread,” at the prospect of againfalling into the hands of his torturers. He was seized atOssernenan (now Auriesville, N.Y.) and cruelly beaten. Ablow from a tomahawk gave him the crown of Martyrdomon October 18, 1646, at the age of 39.Saint Gabriel Lalemant, S.J. Martyred March 17, 1649.

Gabriel Lalemant, a Parisian, became a Jesuit at age 19.His ambition was to labour in the Missions and he asked tobe sent to the Canadian Missions. He was “one of the mostfeeble and delicate in health.” A scholar, he was professor ofPhilosophy, and dean of studies in French Colleges. Hearrived in Huronia in September 1648 where in words ofScriptures, he was destined to complete a long time in ashort space. In Huronia seven months, just beginning tospeak the Native tongue, he was sent to assist Brébeuf inFebruary 1649. He was captured with Brébeuf and torturedfor seventeen hours at the stake. Gabriel Lalemant died onMarch 17 in his 39th year, at St. Ignace, six miles from Ste.Marie.Saint Antoine Daniel, S.J. Martyred July 4, 1648.

Antoine Daniel was born in Normandy and became aJesuit and was ordained a priest at 29. He answered a strongcall to the Missions of Canada and was a Missioner nearBras d’Or Lakes (1632). He founded the first boys’ Collegein North America (Quebec 1635) and laboured in Huronia fortwelve years. He mastered the language and dreamed offorming future catechists among the Hurons who wouldinstruct other members of their tribe. The Mission wasattacked by the Iroquois in July 1648. Daniel encouragedthe converts to meet death as Christians should; he hastilybaptized all he could and went out to face the enemy. Hisbody was pierced with arrows and bullets.

Page -4- Martyrs’ Shrine MESSAGE

II nn vv ii tt aa tt ii oo nn && NN oo vv ee nn aa PP rr aa yy ee rr ss

PPRRAAYYEERR TTOO TTHHEE MMAARRTTYYRRSSHoly Martyrs and patrons, protect this land which you

have blessed by the shedding of your blood. Renew in thesedays our Catholic faith which you have helped toestablish in this new land. Bring all our fellow citizens to aknowledge and love of the truth. Make us zealous in theprofession of our faith so that we may continue and perfectthe work which you have begun with so much labour andsuffering. Pray for our homes, our schools, our missions, forvocations, for the conversion of sinners, the return of thosewho have wandered from the fold, and the perseverance ofall the Faithful. And foster a deeper and increasing unityamong all Christians. Amen.

PPRRAAYYEERR TTOO OOUURR LLAADDYYGlorious Queen of Martyrs, to whom the early

missionaries of this country were so devoted and fromwhom they received so many favours, graciously listen tomy petition. Ask your Divine Son to remember all they didfor His glory. Remind Him that they preached the gospeland made His holy name known to thousands who hadnever heard of Him, and then for Him had theirapostolic labours crowned by shedding their blood.Exercise your motherly influence as you did at Cana, andimplore Him to grant me what I ask in this Novena, if it beaccording to His will. Amen.

PPRRAAYYEERR TTOO SSTT.. JJOOSSEEPPHH(Patron of the Martyrs and of Canada)

O God, who in your special Providence deigned to chooseblessed Joseph to be the spouse of your holy Mother, grant,we beseech you, that we may deserve to have him as ourintercessor in heaven whom we venerate on earth as ourprotector. You who live and reign in the world without end.Amen.

NNOOVVEENNAA PPRRAAYYEERRO God, who by the preaching and the blood of Your blessed

Martyrs, Jean and Isaac and their companions, consecrated thefirst fruits of faith in the vast regions of North America,graciously grant that by their intercession the flourishingharvest of Christians may be everywhere and alwaysincreased. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

St. Jean de Brébeuf, pray for us St. Charles Garnier, pray for usSt. Isaac Jogues, pray for us St. Noël Chabanel, pray for usSt. Gabriel Lalemant, pray for us St. René Goupil, pray for usSt. Antoine Daniel, pray for us St. Jean de LaLande, pray for us

Holy Mary, Queen of Martyrs, pray for us

PP RR AA YY EE RR OO FF PP EE TT II TT II OO NNO God, who inflamed the hearts of your blessed Martyrs

with an admirable zeal for the salvation of souls,grant me, I beseech you, my petitions,

so that the favours obtained through their intercession may make manifestbefore your people the power and the glory of your name. Amen.

We invite you to join in the Novena to the Canadian Martyrsand St. Joseph, September 16-24, 2010. During these ninedays we honour all the Martyrs in preparation for the FeastDay Celebration on Saturday, September 25, 2010 at 2:00 pm.

The Novena of Masses and the prayers including homily andveneration of the relics of Sts. Jean de Brébeuf, GabrielLalemant and Charles Garnier will be offered each day at the12:00 noon and 7:30 pm Masses in the Shrine Church.

We invite you to join us either at the Shrine or in your homefor these nine days of prayer for the intentions of the Novenaand the celebration of our faith through the intercession ofthe Martyrs.

Fr. Denis Hegarty SJ and The Story of Ste. Marie I:History and Archaeology Working Together

In August 1954, the grave of St. Jean de Brébeuf SJ wasdiscovered within the ruins of Ste. Marie I by Fr. Denis Hegarty SJ. Thelast resting place of this great Saint and that of his companion, St. GabrielLalemant SJ, eluded archaeologists for years, but a systematic attentivesearch finally solved the mystery. Canadian Catholics and non-Catholicsalike celebrated the discovery because by the mid-twentieth century thestory of the Jesuit Mission to the Hurons had become an integral part ofour nation’s identity. The discovery of Saint Brébeuf’s grave appeared tobe the final chapter of the tragic but heroic story of the seventeenthcentury missionaries and the Huron (Wendat) people. Or was it?

With the interest of the Jesuits and the Ontario government toreconstruct Ste. Marie I as an historic site, it became apparent there were avariety of interpretations of each building’s purpose, as well as thegeneral purpose of the village. Canadian historians and archaeologists arefamiliar with the works of Kidd, Jury, Trigger and others in relation tothese discussions, however the theories and interpretations of Fr. DenisHegarty SJ are overlooked and even cast aside. What follows is a presen-tation of Fr. Hegarty’s historical and archaeological research concerningSainte Marie I found in the Shrine’s archives.

Historically, Ste. Marie I, founded by the Society of Jesus, was aCatholic mission centre built among the Wendats. It lasted for only tenyears (1639- 1649). The first reference to it was in The Jesuit RelationsAmong the Hurons from June 1639 to June 1640, chapter IV by JeromeLalemant SJ, the Superior of the Mission (1639-1645). In this chapter, Ste.Marie, Notre Dame de la Conception, is referred to as a “fixed residence”,which would serve as a “house apart” for “retreat and meditation”, a“solitude full of delights” where missionaries would be “detached”, andwould be “trained for the purpose” of going to the “villages andsurrounding nations”. Throughout the subsequent Relations, Ste. Marie isreferred to as a dwelling, a home, a house; a place of worship and prayerfor both French and Wendat Catholics. Since the Wendat moved theirvillages every ten years, Ste. Marie proved, as well, to be a practicalcentral residence which could serve the Jesuit missions for years to come.

By 1649, the role of Ste. Marie had changed dramatically. In aletter to the Father General in Rome (Fr. Vincent Caraffa SJ) by PaulRagueneau SJ, (Superior of the Jesuit Mission among the Hurons, 1646-1649), Ste. Marie is initially referred to as a dwelling (domum) and thenhesitantly referred to as a “fort” (arcem). Ragueneau used the termbecause the destruction of outlying Wendat villages as a result of war withcertain factions of the Iroquois forced the inhabitants of Ste. Marie to relyon their own resources for defense. Ragueneau also used the French termfort in his Relation of 1649; Ste. Marie was now the only stronghold inWendake and had become a place of “refuge” (author’s word) forthousands of Wendats displaced because of the war with the enemy. Itwas, in effect, a “refugee camp” (author’s words) for widows, orphans,the aged, and battle-weary Wendat warriors. From its inception (1639)to its destruction(1649) Ste. Marie adapted to the spiritual and temporalneeds of the French and Wendat people.

The archaeological work of Fr. Hegarty SJ shows how Ste.Marie grew from a residence-worship centre with a Wendat hospice(buildings 1- 7) to a larger French community of stone structuresprimarily constructed to serve domestic needs, then finally a place ofrefuge. The stonework (fireplaces, forge and walls) was probably built inthe mid 1640’s when the stonemason arrived. The stone structures

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became very useful in the mission’s latter years when it wasunder threat of attack.

In studying Fr. Hegarty’s ground plan of Ste. Marie,the initial primary purpose as a residence-worship centre isapparent (see especially buildings 3, 4, 7, and 16).Unfortunately, Fr. Hegarty discovered buildings 3 and 4 in theearly 1960’s and therefore they were not included in thereconstruction. Building 3 was the large Church of St. Josephused by French and Wendat Catholics of the region onimportant Feast Days (Christmas, Easter, Pentecost etc.). Itcontained a sacristy, a confessional, an altar, and an emptygrave feature which Fr. Hegarty believed was the resting placeof St. Gabriel Lalemant SJ. Building 4 was the chapel of theBlessed Sacrament which featured a planked floor and twoaltars. This could be where Noël Chabanel made his vow toserve the Wendat Mission for life. Fr. Hegarty believedbuilding 7 was the Jesuits’ private chapel with a raisedsanctuary, however in the reconstruction this structure isdesignated as a storage building.

Father Hegarty’s findings also show an ingeniousdrainage system which makes use of an aqueduct to run a milland provide flush toilets (22). The spring water provided by theaqueduct originated from the hill on which the current Shrineis located. He also shows palisade walls that do not exclude theWendat from the French but protects them from the enemy. Aswell, the remains of longhouses (buildings 6) were found out-side of the mission and not inside as the reconstruction sug-gests.

Despite the incongruities of various historical andarchaeological theories, the fact remains that Ste. Marie was ahouse of prayer and a home of peace in the middle of theCanadian wilderness. Fortunately, the reconstructed Ste.Marie I remains the spiritual haven it was for our belovedMartyrs and early Wendat Catholic community. Jesuits fre-quently celebrate Mass within the palisade walls. As well, thereconstructed mission village served as a beacon of faith dur-ing World Youth Days in 2002. In the words of Fr. JeromeLalemant SJ, Superior of the Huron Mission (1639- 1645),“ . . . may Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception be blessedwhenever we say the name Ste. Marie.”

Page -6- Martyrs’ Shrine MESSAGE

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Mark the petitions to be prayed for:

THE CHURCHTHE DEAD

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ORLD PEACEPARENTS

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PLOYMENT

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ARRIAGETHE SICK

ENEMIES

FAMILY

NEEDSTHANKSGIVING

VOCATIONSTHE JESUITS

Father Director, I am happy to support the work of the Shrine.Here is my donation. $_______________Name: _______________________________________________Address: _____________________________________________

_____________________________________________Postal Code: _______________________ Phone: _____________________

All Souls DayNovember

We remember our loved deceased

relatives and friends._________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Dear Father Director:I enclose my offering of:

$15.00$25.00

$50.00Other: _____________

Please remember the people listed above on All Souls Day and during the month ofNovember.This portion of the form will be placed on the altar during the month of November.

Martyrs’ Shrine MESSAGE Page -7-

It Could be a Lot Worse -The Shrine and the Midland Tornado.

By Larry Smith & Steve Catlin

On Wednesday June 23,as Fathers Alex Kirsten, KeithLangstaff and Patrick Coldricksmade their way from the cafeteriato the Church to prepare for theevening mass, little did theyknow that the heavy winds theyencountered would reap a path ofdestruction throughout much ofthe area of the Shrine. After Mass,when they surveyed the grounds,they found much of the IrishPeace Garden in shambles, manytrees uprooted lying on the roadleading up to the church, the stat-ue of Antoine Daniel knocked tothe ground by a fallen tree andsome 30 trees in the upper field downed or badly damaged by the tornado.

Luckily, buildings were untouched except for some roof damage on the Lalande Centre. As well, the Shrine archivessuffered no damage. Steve Catlin, the archivist at the Shrinewho remained protected under the cafeteria porch, witnessedGod’s hand in protecting a visitor attending Mass thatevening: “ . . . before it (the tornado) finished I noticed a man who hadrun up the stairs to the Shrine’s front doors looking for shel-ter. The doors were locked so he waited out the storm in frontof the Shrine... Our guest, a recently ordained Deacon fromLondon Ontario, was on his way to the 7:30 pm Mass at theShrine when the tornado hit. As he entered the grounds hispassenger side fender was damaged by blowing branches.Then on his way up the driveway, a tree fell directly in frontof him and another tree fell directly behind him just missinghis vehicle. We helped him get his van to safety, were gratefulhe was safe, and gave him a towel to dry off.”

Mass proceeded as usual with two people in atten-dance; the deacon and a Shrine regular.

Since then work has been ongoing to clean up the messand to restore the grounds to its former beauty.

God be praised that the Shrine, and the town ofMidland survived this natural disaster without any loss of life.For those who temporarily lost their homes and livelihood,your intentions are prayerfully remembered at the Shrine.

Page -8- Martyrs’ Shrine MESSAGE

Pilgrimages - 2010

In your kindness please keep us in your prayers:SHRINE DIRECTOR: Rev. Alex Kirsten, SJ OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR: Mrs. Darlene SunnertonASSIST. DIRECTOR: Mr. John Zurakowski Martyrs’ ShrineSHRINE STAFF: Rev. Stephen LeBlanc, SJ P.O. Box 7

Rev. Keith Langstaff, SJ Midland, ON L4R 4K6Rev. Patrick Coldricks, SJ Tel: (705) 526-3788

Fax: (705) 526-1546http://www.martyrs-shrine.com

Putting a Face to the Name!Hello to All of you!

It was with great pleasure and much excitement that Iaccepted the position as Assistant Director at Martyrs’ Shrine thispast Spring. I couldn’t ask for a greater welcome than I havereceived from Fr. Alex, the Jesuits and from many of you. I lookforward to meeting you in person and promise to offer a “longer”introduction in the next Newsletter. Please drop by and visit if youare at the Shrine, or drop me a note. May the Lord continue to blessyou and keep you in His care!

Peace,

John Zurakowski

July 04 Holy Crucifixion Community04 Slovak10 Chinese Pilgrimage (Sat.)17 Tamil Catholic Community (Sat.)17 India, Pakistan (Sat.)18 Croatian Pilgrimage23-25 Archdiocese of Toronto Youth Rally

Aug. 07 Filipino (Sat.)14 Walking Pilgrimage (Sat.)15 Polish21 Hungarian (Sat.)21 Hispanic Pilgrimage (Sat.)22 Lithuanian

Aug. 22 Mission Sunday26 Communal Anointing Service28 Irish (Sat.)29 Goa Pilgrimage Group

Sept. 11 Archdiocesan Western Region (Sat.)11 Slovenian12 International Order of Alhambra18 Korean Faith Rally19 26th Annual Living Rosary Celebration25 The Feast of the Canadian Martyrs (Sat.)

Oct. 12 SHRINE CLOSES for the season