Martyrs’ shrine marks its 125th anniversary

Martyrs' shrine marks its 125th anniversary

Since its founding by the Jesuits as a pilgrimage site in 1885, the Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs in Auriesville has seen many changes.

The shrine is marking its 125th anniversary this year with further changes, culminating a seven-year process of furthering outreach, changing structures and more.

"If you took a snapshot seven years ago and looked at it now, you'd swear this was a different place," remarked Tom Ralph, the shrine's director of operations for the past seven years.

He called the process a "renaissance. The shrine was in somewhat disrepair; a lot of things needed replacing and refurbishing."

Rev. Peter Murray, SJ, director of the shrine for seven years, told The Evangelist that "a lot of Jesuits say it is much better, and families see great improvement, saying the grounds are the nicest they have seen them. There is a wider variety of parish and youth groups coming, and there is greater reverence for the Blessed Sacrament shown in more adoration hours."

Historical site
The shrine is best known as the site of the martyrdoms of three Jesuit missionaries - Ss. Isaac Jogues, René Goupil and John Lalande - at the hands of Mohawk Indians during the 1640s.

Shortly after their deaths, Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha was born there. A convert to Christianity, she became a model of charity and purity and is now the first Native American recommended for sainthood.

Father Murray sees the legacy of the shrine as "the devotion to the holy missionary martyrs and a connection with early days of the Church in the United States.

"People have a chance for spiritual interior renewal here and [can experience] a deep knowledge of the history of the martyrs and Kateri. Their intercession, grace, and healing help us with our daily struggles."

The shrine's massive coliseum church can be seen from the New York State Thruway, but gardens and landscaping have now been added "to enhance worship space and honor the coliseum," Mr. Ralph said, noting: "The worship space and liturgy have dramatically improved. The liturgy is handled with such reverence."

Among other changes, the visitor's center and gift shop have had structural repairs and a boost in inventory, and the shrine's museums have been updated. The 1885 and Sacred Heart chapels have been rebuilt.

Testimonies
Rosemary Reid of Johnstown has been coming to the shrine since 1958. She is always struck by the ravine, the portion of the shrine property containing the unmarked grave of St. René Goupil.

"Priests I met at the shrine say they got their vocations here," she said, "especially in the Ravine. You can feel the holiness.

"The Eucharist is most important," she continued. "You can go to the shrine and have Eucharist and adoration. It's a wonderful thing."

Rev. James Walsh of St. Pius X Parish in Loudonville is a vocations director for the Albany Diocese. He has been bringing youth to the shrine for 15 years.

"It is holy ground, a great place to encounter God," he said. "I always find young people enjoy the trip once they understand the events that took place there. They are focused, interested and moved by its historical significance in terms of the North American martyrs.

"It is the best-kept secret in Albany Diocese," he added. "It escapes us because it is in our own backyard."

Marian Sarchet, a parishioner of Sacred Heart Church in Tribes Hill, believes that "people feel comfortable to know that they are on holy ground, and that Reconciliation and Masses are available" at the shrine. "With so many churches closing, people look for a place of stability."

Although the Shrine is a Jesuit property, it is geographically located within the Albany Diocese and has thus provided space for large crowds at events like an annual Boy Scout Encampment, a Knights of Columbus pilgrimage, confirmation ceremonies and the St. Isaac Jogues Youth Conference held each summer.

Anniversary events
For its anniversary year, internationally-known speakers are on the shrine's schedule. Rev. Mitch Pacwa, SJ, of Ignatius Productions and EWTN, visited in June; Rev. Matthew Linn, SJ, will present a forgiveness workshop this weekend, and a eucharistic evening and concert with Irish tenor Mark Forrest is scheduled for September.

The shrine's official anniversary weekend is Aug. 13-15. Events will include a gala, a candlelight procession with Vespers sung by the New York Catholic Chorale, a Mass with Jesuit and other dignitaries and a concert by the shrine's music ministry.

Looking toward the future, Father Murray said he would like to see the shrine provide more resources for the Diocese and for young people. Already, additional healing Masses, mini-retreats, concerts and speakers have been scheduled; the director hopes to add programs on Jesuit spirituality, as well.

The shrine is "becoming a dynamic place; people are coming to us," said Mr. Ralph. "They find peace and solace they don't find outside. They stay after Mass and walk the grounds. In today's world, there are not many places to get that."

"You don't have to travel to Lourdes," he noted; "the blood of the martyrs was spilled here."

(07/15/10)