Welcome to the Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs
Auriesville, NY • National Shrine of North American Martyrs • Birthplace of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha
- Canonization of Blessed Kateri is Imminent!
Pope Benedict XVI has authorized a decree recognizing a miracle attributed to the intercession of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, the “Lily of the Mohawks,” born at Auriesville in the 17th century. It is expected that plans for her canonization will soon follow.
Announcement of the papal action was distributed on December19, 2011 by Catholic News Service and by News.Va website: The Vatican Today.
The nature of the miracle is the cure of a young boy, Jake Finkbonner, from a flesh eating bacteria on his face. This mirrors Kateri’s facial scarring from small pox. Young Jake is of Native American ancestry – the Lummi tribe of the Pacific Northwest.
Bishop Howard Hubbard of the Albany Diocese, where the Auriesville Shrine is located, issued a statement saying he is “thrilled” to learn of the miracle, and that he looks forward “to the canonization of this holy and loving disciple of Jesus which, hopefully, will take place during 2012.”
The staff of the Shrine offers praise and thanksgiving to God for this long awaited news. For years, the intention of the weekly Kateri Masses, the prayers of Kateri League members, pilgrims and staff have been for her canonization. Museum docents and gift shop personnel hear weekly testimonies by pilgrims of answered prayers and healings through Blessed Kateri’s intercession. Veneration of her relics in the Coliseum and Kateri Chapel is a treasured part of pilgrimages to the shrine.
The holy ground of Auriesville bears silent witness to the first years of her life - her first breath, footsteps and spoken words. It holds the trauma of the loss of her family to smallpox, and her own frail health and poor vision resulting from the disease. And it emanates the hope and peace of a life consecrated to Jesus Christ.
By her heroic virtue, powerful witness to the Catholic faith among her people, and her life of sexual purity, Blessed Kateri is a much needed role model and inspiration today. We are blessed to share her story on the very ground where it began.
The staff is planning an on-going celebration in 2012 with new Kateri exhibits in the museum, enhanced July 14 Feast Day commemoration, Tekakwitha Conference Pilgrimage to the shrine on July 21, additional activities during the annual Mohawk Pilgrimage and Mass on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, Kateri- related mini retreat topics, intercessory prayers at Masses, and gift shop items. Events surrounding the canonization day are to be determined.
Join the Shrine staff in joyous thanksgiving to God for the gift of the life and witness of Blessed Kateri. We will soon raise our voices in prayer to “Saint” Kateri Tekakwitha!
The Shrine has received multiple exclamations of, “Great News,” “Alleluia,” and “Praise God.”
Along with . . .
“I’m thrilled. What better Christmas present than this, something we’ve worked on for so long.”
~ Msgr Paul Lenz, Vice Postulator for Kateri’s Cause since 2005
I am thrilled to learn about the authentication of the miracle attributed to Kateri’s intercession. . . I look forward to the canonization of this holy and loving disciple of Jesus which, hopefully, will take place during 2012.
~ Bishop Howard Hubbard, Albany Diocese
Much light and love to you people who keep her memorial going and may God Bless you all.
~ P.H.
What a day for singing and rejoicing praise and glory to God !!!
~ C. H.
Kateri has been working for hundreds of years helping people through her precious spirit.
~ L. C.
Praise God for His abundant Mercy at this time in our country to give Kateri to us as our saint!!
~ S. M. - Volunteer Meeting in the Visitor Center
- Mini Retreat: "The Spirituality of St. Joan of Arc"
- Ash Wednesday Mass
Ash Wednesday Mass will be celebrated in the Visitor Center at 11 a.m. followed by distribution of ashes. - Sunday Masses: Lent, Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday
11 a.m. Sunday Masses will resume in the Visitor Center on Feb 26, the First Sunday of Lent, and will continue through Easter Sunday on April 8, and Divine Mercy Sunday on April 15. Sunday Masses will begin in the Coliseum when the Shrine officially opens its 2012 season on Sunday April 22. - North American Martyrs Society Meeting
There will be a meeting of the North American Martyrs Society on Sun Feb 26 in the Visitor Center following 11 a.m. Mass on the First Sunday of Lent. Members and inquirers are welcome. Plans for 2012 activities will be discussed. Contact Beth Lynch 518-853-3033 x225. - Mini Retreat: St. Joseph: Guardian of the Redeemer, Guardian of the Church
- Miracle Attributed to Blessed Kateri!
Pope Benedict XVI has authorized a decree recognizing a miracle attributed to the intercession of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, the "Lily of the Mohawks," born at Auriesville in the 17th century. It is expected that plans for her canonization will soon follow.
Announcement of the papal action was distributed on December19, 2011 by Catholic News Service and by News.Va website: The Vatican Today. The nature of the miracle has not been disclosed.
Bishop Howard Hubbard of the Albany Diocese, where the Auriesville Shrine is located, issued a statement saying he is "thrilled" to learn of the miracle, and that he looks forward "to the canonization of this holy and loving disciple of Jesus which, hopefully, will take place during 2012."
The staff of the Shrine offers praise and thanksgiving to God for this long awaited news. For years, the intention of the weekly Kateri Masses, the prayers of Kateri League members, pilgrims and staff have been for her canonization. Museum docents and gift shop personnel hear on-going testimonies by pilgrims of answered prayers and healings through Blessed Kateri's intercession. Veneration of her relics in the Coliseum and Kateri Chapel is a treasured part of pilgrimages here.
The holy ground of Auriesville bears silent witness to the first years of her life - her first breath, footsteps and spoken words. It holds the trauma of the loss of her family to smallpox, and her own frail health and poor vision resulting from the disease. And it emanates the hope and peace of a life consecrated to Jesus Christ.
By her heroic virtue, powerful witness to the Catholic faith among her people, and her life of sexual purity, Blessed Kateri is a much needed role model and inspiration today. We are blessed to share her story on the very ground where it began.
During this Christmas season, join the Shrine staff in joyous thanksgiving to God for the gift of the life and witness of Blessed Kateri. Hopefully we will soon raise our voices in prayer to "Saint" Kateri Tekakwitha!
Our Mission
The Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs is a place of natural beauty and spiritual renewal. We are dedicated to the memory of the Martyred Jesuits and Blessed Indian maiden who sanctified this hallowed place. Through the example of the Missionaries' courageous faith, which provides the bedrock of our devotions here, we strive to strengthen the faith of all who visit us. We will always be guided by our dedicated predecessors and our loving Father, so that these historic grounds may be a place of peace, love, prayer, and reconciliation, where each and every pilgrim may be welcomed with joy, and may leave here with a soul refreshed and renewed.