Pilgrimage to Martyrs Shrine  

Martyrs Shrine, Midland, Ontario

This summer the community at the Conventual Franciscan St. Raphael Parish in Burlington, Ontario had the opportunity to participate in a pilgrimage to Martyrs Shrine in Midland, Ontario. Pilgrimages are integral to our faith. The physicality of walking, prayer and the arrival at a spiritually significant location are all important in the continuing development of our faith.

The pilgrimage members of St. Raphael participated in lasted 8 days – from August 7th to the 14th. Rick Johnson coordinated pilgrims from the parish, but on the pilgrimage itself hundreds of pilgrims from various parishes proceeded to Martyrs Shrine. They prayed to God for the forgiveness of abortion; the pilgrims’ prayers were also dedicated to the intentions of Pope Benedict XVI and their families.

A scene in Burlington, Ontario

When the pilgrims walked through villages, towns, and along country roads, drivers and passersby might have wondered what they were doing. This sort of curiosity is an excellent opportunity to start a conversation about faith with persons who perhaps had not thought about their spiritual lives.

Pilgrimages are communal in nature

(Sources of all related images on webpage and homepage: wikipedia.org and www.martyrs-shrine.com.)