Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Martyrs
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“America, as we well know, has ever been a hero-worshiping country. Our national heroes, explorers, navigators, soldiers, our great educational leaders, our scientists and poets – all are enshrined in our halls of fame. But what of our spiritual heroes, our saints, our martyrs…? Have we no care for them, no shrines to their memory? Are they not too worthy of honor?”--Bishop John Mark Gannon
Chair, Commission for the US Martyrs, 1957 -
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Phase One of the Shrine Site Has Begun!
The first phase of developing the Shrine site is to restore the historic mansion and open as a House of Mary, Mother of the Church
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This historic home will be restored and opened as a
House of Mary, Mother of the Church -
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Welcome House for pilgrims and visitors, local and from afarLocated off El Camino Real (the old Spanish road from St. Augustine that connects several martyrdom sites across Florida), the Welcome House offers a perfect stop for pilgrims or visitors.. Pilgrims or day retreatants will learn more about Mary’s role in the birth of the church in our lands. All who visit will learn more about the martyrs and faithful Catholics of the missions.
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Honor the Blessed Mother as
Mother of the Church“The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.”— Tertullian (early Church Father)The Welcome House will honor Mary in her role as Mother of the Church. Mary became Queen of the Martyrs at the foot of the cross and the Church was conceived. In the historic lands of Florida, Mary’s role as Mother of the infant Church is likewise inseparable from the blood of the martyrs.The Church in historic Florida was born in martyrdom. Here, off El Camino Real where the last stand was taken for the Catholic Faith, we can thank Mary for her maternal love, and we can remember the martyrs and faithful who persevered in their hope in Jesus Christ and everlasting life, unwavering, to the end.
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Experience the Marian spirituality of the faithful through painting.Each room will have a picture and dedication opportunity to the Blessed Mother under a title that was relevant to the Catholic missions. The Catholic Native Americans and missionaries were deeply devoted to the Blessed Mother. The pictures displayed from room to room will offer pilgrims the opportunity to experience the Marian spirituality of the martyrs and the faithful of the mission period.
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Help make this a beautiful
Welcome House of Mary, Mother of the Church!Click below to see how you can help -
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The Altar
Outdoor Event Area
Shrine Site Map
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The Shrine Site on 78 beautiful acres in Tallahassee
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Location and Significance
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Shrine site located in the heart of Apalachee martyrdoms
Bishop Bill Wack's blessing
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On August 28, 2017, Bishop Bill Wack of Pensacola-Tallahassee, bishop leading the beatification effort, blessed the land and effort.
This peaceful land is located along the old mission road, El Camino Real. Primary documents indicate that on or near this land, just west of the land that once was Mission San Pedro y Pablo de Patale, site of the martyrdom of Fr. Mendoza and his native sacristan, the Last Battle was fought and lost for the Catholic Missions and the Faith in Apalachee (Tallahassee).
Servant of God, Baltasar Francisco, was captured at this last stand, tied to an outdoor Cross that surrounded the mission plaza, and was tortured and killed. All the while, he proclaimed the Faith from the cross. Following the devastating loss, the missions would fall like dominoes east across El Camino and the voice of the faithful would be silenced. Yet, God remembers His faithful ones and takes delight in his saints. The land tells a compelling story, not lost on visitors today.
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