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An outdoors shot of Martyrs’ Shrine in Midland, Ontario.
Aleli Paguio of Martyrs’ Shrine
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Photo courtesy Holy Family Parish, Whitby
Jubilee Year celebrations in the Archdiocese of Toronto will bring faithful from across the Greater Toronto Area together in pilgrimage to Martyrs’ Shrine later this month.
Taking place on the nearly century-old holy grounds of the National Shrine to the Canadian Martyrs in Midland, Ont., Catholics from across the archdiocese are invited by Cardinal Francis Leo to celebrate Holy Mass, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, a Rosary procession, plenary indulgences, Eucharistic Adoration and a Benediction at the shrine on Aug. 24.
Looming over the day’s sacred celebrations is an overarching theme of fellowship. As highlighted by Neil MacCarthy, the archdiocese’s director of communications, the pilgrimage looks to bring together Catholics from every corner of the community.
“In many ways, this is like a family reunion. We have the opportunity to gather each week at our parishes throughout the archdiocese, but there is a real beauty in being able to come together as an archdiocesan family,” he said.
“We have such wonderful diversity in our faith community in the Archdiocese of Toronto. Families, clergy, young and old, religious men and women, so many different cultural backgrounds, it is special when we have these opportunities to be together. It’s an opportunity to recharge the spiritual batteries, so to speak.”
Fr. John O’Brien, director of Martyrs’ Shrine, said on any given Sunday in August, the shrine welcomes a few thousand pilgrims. He believes the archdiocesan pilgrimage could put that number as high as the 3,000 to 4,000.
As the archdiocese’s designated pilgrimage shrine for the Jubilee Year, as well as home to the relics of the Canadian Martyrs, Martyrs' Shrine has been welcoming thousands of pilgrims to recall the witness of the eight Jesuit missionaries who were martyred for their faith in the 17th century. As cemented by Leo in his June invitation, their faith journey represents “a nearly 400-year-old story of love, faith and discovery that inspired and influenced the formation of Canada.”
MacCarthy agrees, telling The Catholic Register that Martyrs’ Shrine encapsulates everything the ongoing Jubilee Year of Hope is about, both through its storied history of pilgrimage and cultural significance to the Catholic Church in Canada.
“One of the key themes of the Year of Jubilee is pilgrimage. We have a number of parishes identified throughout the archdiocese as pilgrimage churches, and the Martyrs’ Shrine is also one of these locations. It holds a special significance for our faith journey in Canada, as the Canadian Martyrs shared the gift of faith with so many and were beacons of hope,” he said.
“As pilgrims of hope, we pray for their intercession and reflect on the incredible witness and the ultimate sacrifice they made. It’s a powerful story and an ideal way to immerse ourselves into the Year of Jubilee.”
The day begins at 9 a.m. with pilgrims encouraged to explore the holy grounds before the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Outdoor Holy Mass celebrated by Leo will take place at 11 a.m., followed by a lunch break and a Rosary procession at 1:30 p.m. Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction will be offered at 2 and 2:45 p.m., respectively, before a period of open fellowship and departure around 3 p.m.
Despite the packed itinerary, MacCarthy expects the pilgrimage to be a particularly special, transformative and mercy-driven experience for those making the journey north.
“Of course, praying the Rosary, celebrating Mass with Cardinal Leo, it’s the whole package. I know for myself, at some of these larger events where the Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered, I’m always very moved by the number of people wanting to go to confession. It’s also very powerful seeing so many priests hearing confessions,” MacCarthy said.
“That’s something we’ve heard about in this Year of Jubilee, a real increase in the number of people receiving the Sacrament (of Reconciliation). As pilgrims of hope, there’s no better way to experience that than through forgiveness.”
Those still on the fence about attending are encouraged to join in what is shaping up to be the pinnacle of the archdiocese’s Jubilee celebrations.
“Everyone is welcome. It will be a joy-filled, prayerful experience and a wonderful opportunity to meet others from throughout the archdiocese. There really is something special about gathering with the family in such a historic and beautiful setting,” MacCarthy said.
“During this Holy Year, may we continue our spiritual renewal as Pilgrims of Hope. We invite the intercession of Our Blessed Mother, to guide and accompany us on the journey. May God continue to bless you in abundance now and always,” Leo said in his invitation.
Registration is open at surveymonkey.com/r/MartyrsShrinePilgrimage until Aug. 15.
A version of this story appeared in the August 10, 2025, issue of The Catholic Registerwith the headline "Shrine pilgrimage pinnacle of Jubilee celebrations".
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