On Friday, July 11, our parish youth group embarked on a powerful spiritual journey—both physically and prayerfully—as they made a pilgrimage to the sacred grounds of the Martyrs’ Shrine in Midland, Ontario. The day began with Holy Mass celebrated by Fr. Mario at St. Ignace II, the historic site where St. Jean de Brébeuf was martyred in 1649 for the sake of the Gospel.
Celebrating the Eucharist on the very land where the saints shed their blood was a humbling and moving experience. Fr. Mario reminded the youth of the courage and deep faith of the Canadian Martyrs, calling them to reflect on how they, too, are called to witness to Christ in their own daily lives.
After Mass, the group began their 12-kilometre walk from St. Ignace II to the Martyrs’ Shrine. What began in high spirits quickly turned into a test of endurance. The sun was blazing, the trail was long, and the mosquitoes were absolutely relentless. Complaints were common: “I’m so tired,” “How much longer?”, and “I think I have more bug bites than steps left to take.”
Still, the youth pressed on.
Some prayed the Rosary while being bitten by mosquitoes, offering up the discomfort in solidarity with the suffering of the saints. Others walked in silence, reflecting on what it means to follow Christ in a world that often resists His message. As the walk continued, it became more than just a hike—it became a pilgrimage of the heart.
There was something beautiful in the struggle. As tired feet moved forward and sweat poured down brows, the youth began to experience a deeper kind of connection: to each other, to God, and to the stories of the martyrs who once walked that very land with love and conviction.
When the group finally reached the Martyrs’ Shrine, many of the youth went straight to get ice cream—a well-earned treat after hours of walking. But even in that simple moment of joy, there was something profound. After all the effort, the blisters, and the bug bites, there was laughter, relief, and gratitude. It was a reminder that even on the journey of faith, God delights in giving us moments of sweetness and rest.
The pilgrimage concluded with a time of quiet prayer inside the basilica. Kneeling before the relics of the martyrs, the youth were tired—but something had changed. They had encountered God not only in the sacraments, but in the forest paths, in the sweat and soreness, and even in the buzzing of mosquitoes.
This pilgrimage was not just about walking. It was about learning to walk with faith, even when it’s hard. It was about discovering that holiness is not only found in grand cathedrals, but in the little steps of perseverance, community, and joy.
And for these youth, it was a journey they will not soon forget.
