Shrine of North American Martyrs

On our Sunday drive (see "Sunday Drive" post below), we left Sharon Springs and headed to the Auriesville Shrine of North American Martyrs. I don't want to insult any Catholics who have joined the family (Stacy was raised a Catholic), so I'll tread lightly. On the top of a large rolling grassy hill is a round indoor amphitheater that seats 6,000. In the center is a shrine the size of a small house and modeled on a pre-colonial fort, wood fencing 'n all. It is festooned with statues and surrounded by small boxes containing tiny pieces of bone and the like (reliquaries) from missionaries tortured and killed here by Mohawk Indians in the 1600's (see photo). These are America's first and only canonized Martyrs.

Outside on the grounds (600 acres) is an enormous cross made out of evergreen trees that can be seen best from an airplane and a giant rosary made out of whitewashed stones. There are also numerous paths with hand carved rustic signs and crosses telling the martyr's stories.

In addition to the Martyrs, the life of Kateri Tekakwitha, the Lily of the Mohawks, is also celebrated at the Shrine. Kateri was born in 1656 in the Mohawk village of Ossernenon, the daughter of a Christian Algonquin mother and a non-Christian Mohawk Chief. Her parents died during a smallpox epidemic (brought by the missionaries?) when she was four years old. In 1676, at age 20, she was baptized and devoted the remainder of her very short life to teaching prayers to children and helping the sick and aged. She died on April 17th, 1680 at 24 years of age. On January 3, 1943, she was declared Venerable by Pope Pius XII, and Beautified by Pope John Paul II on June 30, 1980. She is in line to be declared a saint.

The Shrine is also the center of devotion to Mary because it was on the grounds that the first recorded recitation of the Rosary in what is now New York State took place - on September 29, 1642.