The outdoor Mass and opening of the sainthood cause for 86 Florida martyrs -- known as Antonio Cuipa and Companions -- was celebrated Oct. 12, just east of Tallahassee, the site of what will become the Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Martyrs.
A group of Christian Native Americans and missionary priests - all who died in St. Augustine and near present-day Jacksonville centuries ago while defending their faith - have been proposed for sainthood
About fifteen years ago, the late Dr. John Hann, then historian at the site of Mission San Luis in Tallahassee, told me that of the Apalachee nation, commonly thought to be extinct, a chief had been located in Louisiana. I found that to be great news, but I did not think I would ever have the pleasure of meeting this person.
Could Tallahassee one day have a Catholic saint to call its own? The push is getting underway to canonize an Apalachee Indian who was raised as a Christian at Mission San Luis and later died for the faith.