Every year now for nine years, on March 16th, beginning in the first year of the Academy in the Jubilee year 2000, we have made the pilgrimage to follow in the footsteps of two great martyrs of our country, Saints Jean de Brebeuf and Gabriel Lalemant, who were captured and martyred on that day in 1649 near Midland, Ontario.  We visit the site where the two martyrs were captured (St. Louis) and the site where they were cruelly put to death (St. Ignace).  At the latter spot, there is also an altar, where every year on March 16th we have offered Mass (this year was an exception, due to it being Passion Sunday; we went to Mass at our own parish of Saint Hedwig's in the morning, and said Vespers at the site instead).

Now, for those of you from Ontario, you may ask, why go to the shrine in these blustery days of March, when the shrine is not even open, and the snow still deep?  I’ve often pondered that question myself as I trudge through three feet of the white stuff with a group of students at my back.  The answer returns to me with a forceful tug at my conscience, for by going on the actual day of the martyrdom, we are able to experience a faint image of what these two Jesuit martyrs went through, as well as pray to them on the day of their entrance into heaven.  Allow me to briefly explain: 

On Saturday, December 8th, the Academy celebrated with its annual end-of-fall-semester Formal, the Immaculate Conception Formal.

chronic 2000

                 Siena House  
 

              St. Joe's 
 

                     St. Gianna's

                 St. Cecilia's

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