A day in the life of the Martyrs' Shrine

For Ana Lorena Diana, the National Shrine of the North American Martyrs in Auriesville feels like home.

After immigrating from Mexico 15 years ago, she settled in Amsterdam, and shortly thereafter was brought to the shrine by a friend.

"I felt so comfortable here from that first visit. I keep returning ever since. This is such a peaceful, special place," she mused. "I believe in my heart that this is truly holy ground."

The 123-year old shrine marks the site of the martyrdom of Ss. Isaac Jogues, Rene Goupil and John Lalande in the mid-1600s. The three missionaries were America's first canonized martyrs, slain in the Mohawk Indian village of Ossernenon.

Painful history

"As beautiful as this place is for us today, we must keep in mind that it once was a place of pain and death," noted Rev. Peter Murray, an Albany native and director of the shrine. "People come for many reasons: to learn the history [and] see the place where it happened, but also to meditate on their own lives, their faith and God; to find tranquility, pray or meditate; or perhaps to just experience the shrine atmosphere."

The shrine is also the birthplace of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, the "Lily of the Mohawks," who was born in 1656 and died at the age of 24 in Canada. A convert to Catholicism, she would become the first Native American saint if canonized.

The shrine has been a destination for many thousands of pilgrims, according to Father Murray, who has overseen operations there for the past six years.

"Because this is a national shrine, we've seen people from many countries. We get a lot of Canadian and North American visitors," he noted.

Renovations

With the 125th anniversary of the shrine coming up in 2010, work of all sorts has been going on there, including refurbishing the Coliseum.

The circular outdoor church, which holds 6,000 worshippers, was the first of its kind in the U.S. when it was built in 1930. Its wooden altar holds mementoes of all three martyrs.

The original circa-1885 Jogues chapel is also being reconstructed; a new Goupil Reading Room, Jogues Children's Room and Lalande Lounge have been added in the media building. Drive-through Stations of the Cross offer visitors a chance to pray by either walking along a designated path or driving alongside it.

There are also numerous small shrines around the site, including the Ravine -- a secluded glen -- and the hilltop "Theresa's Rosary," made of stones in the form of Rosary beads.

"It is believed that Theresa, a captive Huron convert, was the first person in what would become New York State to pray the Rosary in the form that we know it today," noted Father Murray. "This is the main reason that the shrine is dedicated to Our Lady."

Something for all

Many of the 40,000-60,000 visitors to the shrine each year are Catholic, but people of other faiths and general tourists stop by, as well. Sofia Dominguez-McDonough brought her mother, Silvia, to the shrine for the first time on the day The Evangelist visited.

Mrs. Dominguez said she thought the shrine was beautiful and peaceful. Both mother and daughter are originally from Mexico.

Mrs. McDonough, who visits frequently, said that keeps her on track with her spirituality.

"I come especially for First Friday Mass and novena. We used to do this in Mexico and this keeps me attuned to that familiar worship. Besides that, the shrine is a wonderful place to spend time. It is quiet and everyone here is gracious and welcoming," she said.

For Thomas Walter, visiting the shrine several times a week is an obligation as well as a pleasure.

"I moved here a few months ago from downstate. I am looking for a place to help me fill in gaps in my spirituality -- a place where I can volunteer and use my skills. Auriesville seems to fit for me right now," he explained.

Mr. Walter, an author of prayer card verses, poet and artist, said  that helping to prepare the Coliseum for an upcoming weekend retreat for teens has kept him busy.

Two teens who are often at the shrine are Brent and Sarah Wagoner, whose mother works there part-time. Brent, a seventh-grader, said that his favorite thing to do is to "go down into the Ravine" so he can be near the creek: "It's nice down there."

Sarah, 15, will be a tenth-grader in the fall. Her favorite pastime at the shrine is exploring the new Reading Room. "There are all different kinds of books there," she said.

"In the six years that I've been here, I've seen an increase in visitors," Father Murray put in. "In the 1950s and '60s, families, school groups and others came here in throngs for day trips and meditation. Although we don't see the numbers now that were seen then, Auriesville remains a place where we can be refreshed, become renewed and reconciled with God."

The Martyrs' Shrine is open year-round; the official visitors' season runs from May through the end of October. Call 853-3033 or visit their website at www.martyrshrine.org.  

("This is a holy place of healing, love and recharging. It has embraced me," said Ms. Diana. "Come and see for yourself.")

(07/17/08)