Campus Ministry Students Visit the Martyrs’ Shrine as Pilgrims of Hope

On Sept. 27, more than 100 students from the Catholic campus ministries throughout the Archdiocese journeyed to the Martyrs’ Shrine in  Midland for their annual inter-chaplaincy walking pilgrimage. This year’s event had special significance because of the Jubilee year and its theme of “Pilgrims of Hope.” The group was joined by students from Trent University and King’s University College at Western University.

Upon arrival, the students learned about the Canadian Martyrs and the tradition of pilgrimages through a talk by the Shrine Director, Fr. John O’Brien, SJ. They had an opportunity to explore the various altars and statues throughout the Shrine property, before joining the large community of faithful who had gathered for Mass on the feast day of the Canadian Martyrs. In union with pilgrims around the world, the students prayed the prayers for the Jubilee indulgence.

After being blessed with the relics of the martyrs, the group walked in pilgrimage to St. Ignace II, the site of the death of St. Jean de Brebeuf and St. Gabriel Lalemant. Campus groups sang, prayed the rosary and entered into a quiet time of reflection as they tread the path the martyrs travelled centuries ago. At St. Ignace, the account of the martyrdom of the two saints was read, and students asked for their intercession as they venerated the crosses that mark the l ocation of their martyrdom.

The beautiful day of reflection and prayer closed with dinner, where students enjoyed pizza with their newfound friends from other campus ministries. They left the Shrine, inspired to live as pilgrims of hope in their everyday surroundings.