The Ladies of Faith at Sacred Heart Parish in Cicero invited people on a July 16 pilgrimage to the Our Lady of Martyrs Shrine in Auriesville, N.Y., and the Saint Kateri Tekakwitha National Shrine and Historic Site in Fonda, N.Y. Led by Terry and Deacon Ken Money, a group of almost 40 was able to walk in the footsteps of our area’s very own saints. July 14 is the Memorial of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, Virgin.
Deacon Money gave a Pilgrim’s Blessing and led a Divine Mercy Chaplet on the way to Auriesville, St. Kateri’s birthplace (ourladyofmartyrsshrine.org). Upon arrival, the group was taken on a tour of the grounds and museum. Afterward was a chance to hike the Ravine, the resting place of St. Rene Goupil; visit the gift shop; or explore the Coliseum.
Next, it was on to the St. Kateri shrine (katerishrine.org) in Fonda, where Kateri relocated after smallpox infected her home village. Terry Steele, a Shrine council member and Algonquin, gave a guided tour of the village ruins and the spring where St. Kateri was baptized. Following the tour and collection of spring water was time to visit the gift shop and museum and make rustic crosses from sticks collected on the holy ground.
The group from Sacred Heart Parish in Cicero gets a tour of the Our Lady of Martyrs Shrine in Auriesville. (Photos courtesy Deacon Ken Money)
Lastly, the pilgrims attended Mass in the outdoor pavilion with Deacon Money serving with Father Joe Angelini. Steele and Bernice Lazore said the Four Directions prayer and smudged parishioners with a sweetgrass blessing. The Mohawk Choir provided the music.
The St. Kateri shrine will celebrate the 10th anniversary of her canonization Oct. 21, 2022.
