Mary, Queen of the Martyrs Shrine
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Oratory
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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 GannonChair, Commission for the US Martyrs, 1957
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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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Grand house on the Site
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Mansion on the eastern 25 acresNestled in the back of the shrine site is where we currently welcome pilgrims who travel from near and far to learn about the martyrs of La Florida. The home is in need of restoration to better meet the needs of the pilgrims and so gatherings are now held outside in the “Cathedral of the Oaks”. Restoring the mansion and funding the land are the next planned steps.
Opening at the Shrine Site 10/12/2015 
Closing at the Shrine Site 10/12/2023
Here in this “Cathedral of the Oaks” the diocesan phase of the beatification cause opened in 2015 and closed in 2023.
“Our hope is that this place will be a spiritual blessing for many who come to pray and to learn about those who gave their lives to bring and to establish the Faith in our lands.”--Chris Stavres
President, Martyrs of La Florida Missions
Petitioner in the Cause for Beatification
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