Martyrs’ Shrine Spring Gala 2024

The National Shrine to the Canadian Martyrs is delighted to invite you to our Inaugural Spring Gala. Martyrs' Shrine, Canada's Early Church, has served millions of pilgrim visitors since its opening in 1926. The Jesuit Martyrs and the Wendat Martyrs of Huronia dedicated their lives to honour God and neighbour, and their legacy is a source of healing and hope for many. As its 100th anniversary approaches, Martyrs' Shrine is announcing the launch of a multi-million dollar campaign for the revitalization and renovation of the Shrine church and property. The Spring Gala is the first of several major events preparing for the centennial taking place in 2026. “We are truly blessed to have the Archbishop of Toronto and Canada’s most famous boys choir grace our inaugural Spring Gala. I invite all our dedicated friends and supporters to share this evening of excellent company, fine food, and inspiring music. Help us to protect and preserve this national holy and historic space for another hundred years." - Fr. John O’Brien, S.J. Martyrs' Shrine Director 2024 Spring Gala Location Bellvue Manor 8083 Jane Street Vaughan, ON L4K 2M7 Get Your Tickets Now! Early Bird Tickets Available Until April 30th. Click Here Archbishop Francis LeoFeaturing keynote speaker: Archbishop Francis LeoSt. Michael's Choir SchoolWith a special performance by: The St. Michael's Choir SchoolBellvue ManorLocated at the beautiful Bellvue ManorSilent AuctionFeaturing a silent auction Win tickets toTaylor Swift's Eras Tour, Blue Jays Luxury Suite Tickets, and more Menu Please note that the Bellvue is not a nut-free facility. We ask that you advise us of any dietary accommodations you may have when you purchase your ticket. Antipasto Table 5:30-6:45pm Assorted Charcuterie with Cold Cuts & Cheeses Caprese Salad (Bocconcini & Tomato) Warm Olives Grilled Vegetables Roasted Red Peppers Shrimp Cocktail Artisan Breads Dinner 7:00pm Warm Artisan Bread Variety Mascarpone Butter Tuscan Pepper and Olive Tapenade Prelude Casarecce Pasta in Tomato Sauce Garnished with Fresh Basil Entrée Twin 4oz Seared Chicken Supreme and 4oz Salmon in Maple Glaze Vegan-Vegetarian Option: Gluten Free Pasta with Tomato Sauce and a Stuffed Bell Pepper with Quinoa & Vegetables in place of the Chicken and Salmon. Accompaniment: Green Beans, Julienned Red & Yellow Bell Pepper tied with a Carrot, Roasted Mini Yukon Gold Potatoes Mixed Green Salad: Romaine, Radicchio, Arugala with Cherry Tomatoes in Balsamic Gelee & Olive Oil Dessert Cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory with Fresh Berries Vegan-Vegetarian and Lactose-Free Option: Bowl of Fresh Berries Drinks Red & White Wine on each table Plus One Alcoholic Drink Ticket per Person Signature Martyrs’ Shrine Drink Unlimited Sparkling and Flat Water, Juices, and Soft Drinks Tea, Coffee, and Espresso Deluxe Cash Bar Getting Here Easiest way to arrive at the event venue: To get to the event venue, the easiest way is to drive or take an Uber/Lyft to Bellvue Manor. Parking is free at the Bellvue Manor. The nearest TTC station is Vaughan Metropolitan Station. From there you can: Walk to Bellvue Manor (10-15min). Walk to the Smart Centres Bus Terminal, board the YRT 020 Teston - Northbound bus, stop at Jane Street/Macintosh Boulevard and walk towards the venue. Take a free executive shuttle service from the subway station to Bellvue Manor for Gala guests. Shuttle details coming soon... About Archbishop Francis Leo Born in Montreal in 1971 to Italian immigrant parents Francesco Leo and †Rosa Valente, Archbishop Leo attended Eugenio Pacelli Elementary School, John F. Kennedy High School and CEGEP Vanier. He then entered the Grand Séminaire de Montréal in 1990 and was ordained a priest for service to the Archdiocese of Montreal on 14 December 1996. He served in different parish assignments in Montréal (assistant pastor at Our Lady of Consolata, parochial administrator of Saint-Joseph-de-RDP, and pastor of Saint-Raymond-de-Peñafort) until 2006 when he accepted the invitation to enroll in the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome and subsequently enter the Diplomatic Service of the Holy See (2006-2012), serving in different Apostolic Nunciatures across the globe. On 9 January 2012, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Chaplain of His Holiness, bestowing the title of Monsignor. Upon his return to Canada, he joined the formation team of the Grand Séminaire de Montréal, teaching theology and philosophy while providing spiritual direction, formation and accompaniment to the candidates for the priesthood. In the fall of 2015 he was appointed General Secretary of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), a mandate which came to an end in the fall of 2021. As of February 1st 2022, Archbishop Leo was named Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia of the Archdiocese of Montreal. In addition to his extensive graduate studies in Canon Law (Pontifical Lateran University), Diplomacy and International Law, Archishop Leo holds a Doctorate in Systematic Theology (University of Dayton ⁄ IMRI) with a specialization in Mariology, a Licentiate in Philosophy (Pontifical Lateran University), a Diploma in Classical Studies (Université de Montréal) and a Graduate Certificate in Spiritual Direction (Aquinas Institute of Theology). He worked as a Judge for the Canadian Appeal Tribunal and has taught theology, spirituality and philosophy at Montreal, Canberra (Australia), Dayton (USA) and Ottawa, among other places. He speaks English, French, Italian and Spanish. Archbishop Leo is President and founding member of the Canadian Mariological Society, Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem as well as a member of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Domenic (Third Order Dominican). Archbishop Leo was appointed by the Holy Father Titular Bishop of Tamada and Auxiliary Bishop of Montreal on July 16, 2022, and was ordained to the Episcopacy on September 12, 2022. Archbishop Leo was named as the Archbishop of Toronto on Saturday, February 11, 2023 by Pope Francis. He was installed as Archbishop on Saturday, March 25, 2023. About the St. Michael's Choir School St. Michael’s Choir School provides sacred music of the highest calibre to St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica and the Archdiocese of Toronto, and maintains a high standard of music performance through concerts and touring. Its musical goal is to serve God, the Universal Church, the Archdiocese and the community with commitment and joy through sacred music. The choral program at St. Michael’s Choir School is designed to foster a lifelong interest in music. Many graduates go on to serve the musical life of their own parishes, while some pursue professional careers in music. The course of study includes daily classroom instruction in music rudiments, singing and weekly individual lessons in piano. Service to the cathedral remains the focus for all choral activities. Three of the school’s choirs sing weekly at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica, as well as providing music for weddings and funeral liturgies and Cathedral events and services. At the same time, St. Michael’s Choir School has a long tradition of sharing its music with others by giving concerts in various communities, at churches and music festivals, and undertaking annual tours in Canada and abroad. Visit their website: www.smcs.on.ca Auctions & Prizes We are happy to announce that we will be holding both an online silent auction as well as a live auction at the Gala. We thank the generous donors who have provided these prizes. Live Auction We are offering three exciting experiences as a part of our Live Auction: For the Music Lover… Two tickets to the most coveted concert of the year… Taylor Swift's Eras Tour! Your VIP experience will include two tickets to a luxury suite experience at the Rogers Centre. Watch Taylor Swift in the comfort of a luxury suite, including food and drinks. This will be an unforgettable evening! For the Sports Enthusiast… Fourteen tickets to a see the Blue Jays play against the LA Angels on Sunday, August 25th, 2024 at the Rogers Center in Toronto. You and your friends, clients, or family will be hosted by our Shrine Director, Fr. John O’Brien at a luxury suite overlooking the field, including food and drinks (non-alcoholic). A cash bar will be available if you would like to purchase alcohol. For the Toronto Food & Entertainment Connoisseur… We offer you a memorable experience on the town! Leave your car at home as you and your guest will be picked up by a driver and taken to an unforgettable culinary experience at the 360 Restaurant inside the CN Tower. Don’t forget to take in the spectacular views from the observation level and don’t miss your opportunity to walk across their glass floor! After your fine dining experience, you will be invited to join Fr. John O’Brien at a luxury suite to see a Blue Jays game at the Rogers Center in Toronto. You will have early access to the field during warm-up/batting practice. After the game, unwind at an iconic downtown Toronto hotel for the night. In a once in a lifetime experience, enjoy a Lake Ontario cruise in a Metro Toronto Harbour Police boat. You and your guest will take in the Toronto skyline from a completely different vantage point. Dates to be determined based on your availability as well as weather conditions. Silent Auction (Online) Our Silent Auction will go live on May 29th online, two weeks prior to the Gala. The auction will conclude at 8:00pm on June 12th, 2024. Throughout the course of the Gala, you will be able to bid on items using your cell phone. Our exciting auction items will be updated on a regular basis on this website as donations are made. If you or your company would like to donate a new item, service, or experience, please contact communications@martyrs-shrine.com. Preview of silent auction items coming soon... Additional Prizes: A person at each table will win an exciting door prize! We are also gifting the person who buys the most tickets to the gala with two tickets to the Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre, Toronto in a luxury suite, including food and drinks. So please spread the word about our gala to your friends, associates, and family members!!! Sponsorship Opportunities Our 2024 Spring Gala is the official kick-off that will support the capital projects associated with the Martyrs’ Shrine Centennial, celebrated in 2026. We are looking to raise funds to protect the Shrine and pave the way for the next hundred years. If you are interested in sponsoring a component of our Gala event, please see our Sponsorship Package. Additional Details How do I get a ticket? You can register and purchase a ticket by visiting our Event Registration Page. You will be asked to enter your contact information, seating preferences, and food allergies, if applicable. Is there a dress code for the event? Attire for the event is formal. Black tie is optional. Is there a seating capacity? Our tables will accommodate 10 people. If you are registering tickets for multiple people, we will automatically infer that you desire to sit together. We will do our best to keep groups together as much as possible, unless you communicate otherwise. I am looking to purchase multiple tickets, but don't know yet who they will be given to: If you are looking to purchase multiple tickets, and you do not have the full list of attendee names available, please include the purchaser's name or "TBD" in the name field of each attendee at the time of registration. I cannot attend. How do I make a donation instead? Instead of purchasing a ticket on the Event Registration Page, you will be prompted to enter an amount as a general donation towards the campaign. As with ticket purchases, you will need to be registered on the system. Can I change my registration information? Yes, you can change any of your contact or food allergy details at any point. Contact us at communications@martyrs-shrine.com. Please note that due to event commitments we must make with the venue, May 29th, 2024 is the deadline for all change requests. What do I do if I want a ticket refund? We understand that circumstances change. If you need to refund your ticket(s), please contact us at communications@martyrs-shrine.com. Please note that due to event commitments we must make with the venue, May 29th, 2024 is the deadline for all refunds. When does the Early Bird Ticket pricing close? The Early Bird offer of $200/ticket ends on April 30, 2024, at 3:30 PM EST. At that point, prices will increase to $250/ticket. Please note that the venue does have a capacity, so tickets will be prioritized on a first-come first-served basis. Sponsors will be granted special seating closer to the podium. Who should I contact if I have further questions? For questions about the event, auction items, sponsorship or donations, please contact communications@martyrs-shrine.com. Will I receive a tax receipt for this event This event is partly eligible for charitable tax receipts. Tax receipts are processed by the Martyrs' Shrine team in January of each year for the previous year. The taxable percentage will not be available until all Gala costs have been calculated. Are there places to stay in the area? NOVOTEL TORONTO VAUGHAN 200 Bass Pro Mills Drive, Vaughan, ON L4K 0B9, Canada  |  905-660-0212 This is where you can consider staying after the reception. It is a 5-minute drive from Bellvue Manor. SPRINGHILL SUITES BY MARRIOTT TORONTO VAUGHAN 612 Applewood Crescent, Vaughan, ON L4K 4B4, Canada  |  905-760-9960 This is another place to consider lodging in after the reception. It is a 5-minute drive from Bellvue Manor. Event Poster To download the event poster, Click Here. Thank You to Our Gala Sponsors Partner Benefactor Supporter Fall Gala 2024 Can't make our June 12th Spring Gala? Join us on September 21st, 2024 for our Fall Gala in Midland, Ontario. Enter your email below to be notified when details are available. Enter your email Have we missed something on this page? Please let us know at communications@martyrs-shrine.com

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Thanksgiving at Martyrs’ Shrine

Thanksgiving Food Drive Weekends from September 16 - October 9, 2023 The season of Thanksgiving is upon us, and we would like take a moment and give thanks to our community for supporting us throughout the season. We are doing this by committing a portion of all proceeds from Shrine Admission and Shrine Shoppe sales for the remainder of the season to support our local food bank during the upcoming Thanksgiving and holiday season. Come and join us for activity-packed family-friendly weekends going on from now until Thanksgiving Monday. Complimentary drinks, snacks, crafts and games available every weekend as a thank you to you, our community! Prizes and giveaways will be available through our Giftshop. We are stocked-up on unique Christmas goodies to give you a head-start on your holiday gift-giving. Event Details: Location: St. Joseph's Square at Martyrs' Shrine: 16163 Highway 12 West, Midland ON Dates: Weekends from September 16 - October 9, 2023. Times: Activities will operate between 11-4pm, contingent on weather. Schedule of Activities:  September 16 – 17 Treats & Sweets: Complimentary Snacks and Marshmallow Roasting Station, themed specials at the food truck Special Activities: Facepainting by Face to Face Painting (12-4pm on the 16th) Live Music by Meg Danger (11-3pm on the 17th) Activities: Seasonal Crafts, Fire Truck Photo-op, Sidewalk Chalk, Yard Games, Bubbles, Scavenger Hunt Promo: Discounts and giveaways at the Giftshop September 23 - 24 Free Admission during the Feast Day of the Canadian Martyrs (23rd) Treats & Sweets: Complimentary Snacks and Marshmallow Roasting Station, themed specials at the food truck Special Activities: Glitter Tattoos and Balloon Artistry by Tayler Made Entertainment (12:30-3:30pm on the 23rd), Live Music by Meg Danger (11-3pm on the 24th) Activities: Seasonal Crafts, Fire Truck Photo-op, Sidewalk Chalk, Yard Games, Bubbles, Scavenger Hunt Promo: Discounts and giveaways at the Giftshop September 30 – October 1 Treats & Sweets: Complimentary Snacks and Marshmallow Roasting Station, themed specials at the food truck Special Activities: Glitter Tattoos and Balloon Artistry by Tayler Made Entertainment (12:30-3:30pm) Activities: Seasonal Crafts, Fire Truck Photo-op, Sidewalk Chalk, Yard Games, Bubbles, Scavenger Hunt Promo: Discounts and giveaways at the Giftshop October 7 – 9 Treats & Sweets: Complimentary Snacks and Marshmallow Roasting Station, themed specials at the food truck Special Activities: Glitter Tattoos and Balloon Artistry by Tayler Made Entertainment (12:30-3:30pm) Activities: Seasonal Crafts, Fire Truck Photo-op, Sidewalk Chalk, Yard Games, Bubbles, Scavenger Hunt Promo: Discounts and giveaways at the Giftshop Prize & Giveaway Sponsors Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre Sainte-Marie among the Hurons We wish to specially thank some of our community members who have helped us out this year Adco Tire & Auto Alpha Lock & Security Arbours Flower Shoppe Bernadine Moreau Branch Manager Brian Beal Bromont Group Brooklea Golf & Country Club Carpenter's Plumbling Catherine von Zuben Clintar, Barrie Dave Ritchie Dr. Steven Frey Optometrist Drayton Enterprise Ellie Vanden Heuvel Front Line Landscape Designs GVS Sheet Metal Hindson Marina Josephs Inspirational Joyce Hamelin Maloney Family Marcelville Midland Printers Migliore Family Mom's Restaurant Momma's Cleaning Morneau Family North Simcoe Signs Old Fort Furniture Peter Patenaude Realty Executives By the Bay S. Charlebois Haulage & Excavating Sainte-Marie among the Hurons SCC Electrical SC the Depot Sister Adorers of the Precious Blood Splash Floral & Event Design H. S. St. Amant & Sons Inc. Tay Township Tim Hortons, Midland Triple Tech Vincent's Salon & Spa

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Shrine Bulletin Archives

Below is a list of past issues of the weekly Shrine Bulletin. The Shrine Bulletin is published and posted in the Shrine Church and Visitor Office every Sunday which includes an upcoming weekly reflection from one of our Jesuit Fathers as well as a list of Announced Masses scheduled for the week. In some cases, Announced Masses are booked after the publication deadline and names are omitted from that printed record. Below is the digital record that is updated the following week with the full schedule of Announced Masses. 2023 May 7, 2023 May 14, 2023 May 21, 2023 May 28, 2023 June 4, 2023 June 11, 2023 June 18, 2023 June 25, 2023 July 2, 2023 July 9, 2023 July 16, 2023 July 23, 2023 July 30, 2023 August 6, 2023 2022 October 2, 2022 September 25, 2022 September 18, 2022 September 11, 2022 September 4, 2022 August 28, 2022 August 21, 2022 August 14, 2022 August 7, 2022 July 31, 2022 July 24, 2022 July 17, 2022 July 10, 2022 July 3, 2022 June 25, 2022 June 19, 2022 June 12, 2022 June 5, 2022 2020 August 30, 2020 July 12, 2020 May 31, 2020 May 24, 2020 May 17, 2020 May 10, 2020 May 3, 2020 2019 October 12, 2019 October 5, 2019 September 28, 2019 September 21, 2019 September 14, 2019 September 7, 2019 August 31, 2019 August 24, 2019 August 17, 2019 August 10, 2019 August 3, 2019 July 27, 2019 July 20, 2019 July 13, 2019 July 6, 2019 June 29, 2019 June 22, 2019 June 15, 2019 June 8, 2019 June 1, 2019 May 25, 2019 May 18, 2019 May 11, 2019 May 4, 2019

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Martyrs’ Shrine 2023 Gala

Gala Night: Caring for our Blessed Mother We invite you to join us for our 8th Annual Gala Night, an elegant evening celebrating Our Lady and transporting you to the very heart of our story. Sainte-Marie among the Hurons will be hosting this year's Gala as we look to fundraise and support capital infrastructure projects at Martyrs' Shrine. This year we are focusing on the restoration and awaited beautification of our Lourdes Grotto, a beloved centerpiece of Martyrs' Shrine and home to Martyrs' Shrine's first outdoor altar space. The Jesuit missionaries celebrated at Martyrs' Shrine evoked the support of the Immaculate Virgin Mary for assistance in their labours and through it built the mission of Sainte-Marie in her name, located in the heart of the traditional lands of the Wendat (Huron) Nation. Join us this fall for an evening of live classical entertainment from The Narrows Ensemble exploring the Music of Divine Love in J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. The concert is followed by our 2023 Gala Reception and Gala Dinner. Thank-you We sincerely thank, in advance, all of our generous supporters, attendees, sponsors, organizing committee, media partners, volunteers, and others who have and continue to make Martyrs' Shrine an unforgettable space for pilgrimage, prayer and reflection. Tax Receipt This event is partly eligible for charitable tax receipts. Event Details Location: Sainte-Marie among the Hurons, North Court: 16164 Highway 12 West, Midland ON Date: September 9, 2023 Schedule of Events:  5:00-7:15pm - Silent Auction 6:00pm - Prayer Concert 6:45pm - Reception and Farewell to the Shrine's Director, Fr. Michael Knox, SJ 7:45pm - Dinner Fundraising Effort: The Lourdes Grotto This year we are fundraising for the restoration and awaited beautification of our Lourdes Grotto, a beloved centerpiece of Martyrs' Shrine and home to our first outdoor altar space. Condition: The Grotto, now nearly 100-years old, is in a much needed state of repair. The overall structure is sound, however erosion due to years of rain and winter weather is deteriorating the surrounding garden spaces and walkways. Plants have rooted themselves around the upper portion of the structure whose roots could eventually compromise the integrity of original stone work. Vision: We are looking to have the retaining wall replaced as well as the pathways that allow visitors access to Our Lady of Huronia and the bronze plaque of the Canadian Martyrs. As well, restoration work would be done to the Our Lady statue, which has also suffered through years of harsh weather. Gardens would be stripped and replaced with new landscaping and a water feature would be added that is 1) connected to our aquifer, and 2) harkens back to the Marian apparitions once witnessed in Lourdes, France. Fundraising Goal: $100,000   Get Your Tickets Now! Space is limited. Click Here Unable to attend? You can still show your support by donating to our project Click Here About The Musicians Based in Orillia, co-founders Peter Voisey and Valerie Selander have long wanted a musical project to bring really beautiful, professional quality chamber music to the communities of Simcoe County and surrounding areas. The Narrows Ensemble is a group of longtime colleagues from the orchestral, opera, choral and chamber music world around Toronto and southern Ontario.  Their first performance was in September of 2017 at St. Paul’s Centre, Orillia. “We just happen to be a group of freelance professionals who love working with our favourite musicians, and have the good fortune to be able to play chamber music together,” says Ms. Selander.  “All our core members have some working or family relationship with the area here.” As well as performing professionally in the communities around this area, The Narrows Ensemble members are part of the instrumental music education culture here – adjudicating music festivals, coaching and leading band or orchestra clinics, instructing at National Music Camp on Lake Couchiching – strengthening the local tie-in. With an ardent music- and arts-loving culture in this area to inspire them, and an all-star line-up of musicians, The Narrows Ensemble performs the kind of classical music that people love, and delivers a rich and engaging performance experience. The Narrows Ensemble today welcomes Brenna McLane on viola and Wendy Solomon on cello.  

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Summer Concert Series

  A Journey Through Music Join The Narrows Ensemble on a journey of exploration with the music of Wolfgang Mozart and Sir Ernest MacMillan, Gordon Jacob, Maurice Ravel and Johannes Brahms.  Be entranced by the beautiful music of this chamber group of six diverse instruments – experience in musical form the ever-changing lens through which we perceive culture around us, and hear the influences of the Americas and European traditions in music you thought you knew… Unwind, contemplate, be refreshed and invigorated! Event Details Location: Martyrs' Shrine: 16163 Highway 12 West, Midland ON Date: August 18, 2023 Times: 7:30pm-9:30pm Tax Receipt: This event is not eligible for charitable tax receipts. Get Your Tickets Now! Space is limited. Click Here Student rates available 25% Off for Registered Students. Contact us for details. Call Today About the Musicians Based in Orillia, co-founders Peter Voisey and Valerie Selander have long wanted a musical project to bring really beautiful, professional quality chamber music to the communities of Simcoe County and surrounding areas. The Narrows Ensemble is a group of longtime colleagues from the orchestral, opera, choral and chamber music world around Toronto and southern Ontario.  Their first performance was in September of 2017 at St. Paul’s Centre, Orillia. “We just happen to be a group of freelance professionals who love working with our favourite musicians, and have the good fortune to be able to play chamber music together,” says Ms. Selander.  “All our core members have some working or family relationship with the area here.” As well as performing professionally in the communities around this area, The Narrows Ensemble members are part of the instrumental music education culture here – adjudicating music festivals, coaching and leading band or orchestra clinics, instructing at National Music Camp on Lake Couchiching – strengthening the local tie-in. With an ardent music- and arts-loving culture in this area to inspire them, and an all-star line-up of musicians, The Narrows Ensemble performs the kind of classical music that people love, and delivers a rich and engaging performance experience. The Narrows Ensemble today welcomes Brenna McLane on viola and Wendy Solomon on cello.  

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Vendor Applications

Food and Merchandise Vendors Martyrs' Shrine hosts nearly 100 events annually that can attract upwards of 10,000 participants per day. Most of our events come in the form of pilgrimages, which are large gatherings of people who are celebrating, among other things, their unique ethnic and cultural background. These events see people from across the world, bringing with them their shared cultural experiences and forming that experience around spirituality, food, shopping and recreation. The intent behind opening our site to outside Food and Merchandise Vendors is to help shape and elevate that cultural experience both for the pilgrims as well as visitors we have on the property during that time. These events can be highly lucrative for vendors and at the same time can compliment products and services already provided by Martyrs' Shrine. Martyrs' Shrine holds our vendors to very high standards, both in terms of the safety of our guests but also knowing that vendors play a pivotal role in elevating the guest experience. Only Vendors who are deemed to be selling culturally-significant goods and services will be considered. If approved, Vendors will be awarded a Permit from Martyrs' Shrine and they will be required to have it displayed at their booth throughout their stay. Because we are a religious institution, vendors may be eligible for 'Exemption From Regulations' from the Simcoe County Health Unit. Please ensure that you check this box on their Vendor Application for Event Permit (link provided in Application below). Selling or distributing goods and services that do not have prior approval from Martyrs' Shrine are not permitted anywhere on the grounds. If you are not sure whether that applies to you, please ask our team at communications@martyrs-shrine.com. Deadline: All Vendor Applications must be submitted to Martyrs' Shrine 30-days prior to the event or pilgrimage. You must submit a Vendor Application for each event that you are looking to participate in throughout the season. Application Form

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Shrine Message Archives

Below is a list of past issues of the bi-annual Shrine Message. The Shrine Message is published in February and September of each year and is mailed to all active members of the Martyrs' Shrine Association. 2023 Shrine Message - Spring 2023 2022 Shrine Message - Fall 2022 Shrine Message - Spring 2022 2021 Shrine Message - Fall 2021 Shrine Message - Spring 2021 2020 Shrine Message - Fall 2020 Shrine Message - Spring 2020 2019 Shrine Message - Fall 2019 Shrine Message - Spring 2019

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The Pilgrim Route

Walking Route Through the collaborative efforts of the Martyrs’ Shrine, Georgian Bay Trails and Simcoe County Trails, a permanent Pilgrim Route has been established to the Martyrs’ Shrine. While the official signs marking the new Pilgrim Route continue to be developed, the map below can be of assistance in guiding your pilgrimage to the Shrine. The 89 km off-road Pilgrim Route utilizes many local trails, including the Georgian Bay Snowriders Trail and Tay Shore Trail and also extends to Barrie’s North Shore Trail, Oro Medonte Rail Trail, Orillia’s Millennium Trails and the Uhthoff Trail. This is just the first phase of forming a “Canadian Camino,” the full pilgrimage route from Toronto to the Martyrs’ Shrine. Further expansions are planned south to Tottenham and into neighbouring regions. While hundreds of pilgrims already take part in organized pilgrimage walks on specific days throughout the summer from Burlington, Guelph, Toronto, etc. to the Martyrs’ Shrine, they tend to use roads, some quite busy, to make the annual trek. Certainly, a pilgrimage along the trails network in Simcoe County is more suitable for quiet reflection, meditation, prayer and enjoyment of our beautiful countryside. Thanks to a grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the concerted efforts of the Martyrs’ Shrine, Georgian Bay Trails and Simcoe County Trails, the naming of a permanent Pilgrim Route to the Martyrs’ Shrine has been enthusiastically embraced by various municipalities in Simcoe County. The Pilgrim Route enables anyone to follow the route any day of the year, alone or with friends or family, as a parish, or as a tourist to explore this part of Canada, in an off-road setting. Some pilgrims may want to follow the Pilgrim Route for religious reasons, others may just want to set themselves a personal challenge, meet other people, or visit another region. See Mapbook Canoe Route The Wendat people were masters of a new technology - the birchbark canoe, which was optimized for navigating the Great Lakes and surrounding waterways. These canoes could hold upwards of 1000lbs worth of supplies and within 30 days could be access a 1000 mile radius, reaching as far west as Winnepeg, as far north as Hudson Bay, as far south as the Chesapeake and as far east as the Gulf of St. Lawrence. This navigable region was a trade region, and allowed the Wendat to interface with various other indigenous nations and bands. The waterway that was used by the early missionaries and trailblazing explorers like Samuel de Champlain to travel from Huronia to Quebec, New France's economic hub, is described by this Canoe Route. The 800 mile trip takes 20-30 days by canoe through French, Mattawa and Ottawa Rivers to the St. Lawrence. Coming soon

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