Our National Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Shrine and Historic Site (Fonda, NY) will celebrate the annual weekend of festivities surrounding the Feast Day of their Patron Saint, Kateri Tekakwitha, July 13-14, 2019. The Shrine is a very unique property ~ “a sacred place of peace and healing; a place of history and holiness.” This is the best time to visit the Shrine. From May 1st through October 31st, Masses are celebrated on the weekends, all of the aspects of the property are open daily (9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.). Don’t count out the cold months though. From November 1st through April 30th, weather permitting – pilgrims and visitors can still visit the Candle Chapel, outdoor sanctuary, Caughnawaga Village Site, Kateri Spring, and hiking trails, from dawn to dusk. However, there are no Masses available, the Saint Peter’s Chapel, the museum, and public bathrooms are closed, and the gift shop is only open by appointment.
Beatified by Pope John Paul II on June 22, 1980, Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, lovingly known as the Lily of the Mohawks and the first Native American woman to be honored with sainthood, was canonized on October 21, 2012, by Pope Benedict XVI. In his homily, Pope Benedict stated, “Kateri impresses us by the action of grace in her life in spite of the absence of external help and by the courage of her vocation, so unusual in her culture. In her, faith and culture enrich each other! May her example help us to live where we are, loving Jesus without denying who we are. Saint Kateri, Protectress of Canada and the first native American saint, we entrust to you the renewal of the faith in the first nations and in all of North America! May God bless the first nations!”
SAINT KATERI FEAST DAY WEEKEND
Saturday, July 13, 2019
10:00 a.m. Opening Thanksgiving Address by Bernice Lazore
10:15 a.m. Four Directions Sacred Plants smudging with music by Kateri Native Ministry of Ottawa
10:30 a.m. Welcome by Fr. Tim Lyons, OFM Conv. and Rita Gullion
11:00 a.m. Guest Speaker Kay Olan
12:00 noon Lunch break
12:30 p.m. Guest Speaker Kay Olan
1:45 p.m. Testimonials – What Kateri means to each of us
3:00 p.m. Closing – Prayer to St. Kateri
4:00 p.m. Confession available
4:30 p.m. Vigil Mass with Traditional Purification Rite (smudging) and Solemn Blessing with the relic of Saint Kateri. Music by Kateri Native Ministry of Ottawa
7:00 p.m. Prayer and healing circle with Terry Steele in Grassmann Hall
Sunday, July 14, 2019
10:00 a.m. Confession available
10:30 a.m. The Most Reverend Edward Scharfenberger, Bishop of Albany will celebrate the Feast Day Mass with Traditional Purification Rite (smudging) and Solemn Blessing with the relic of Saint Kateri.
Donations of non-perishable food items are being collected all weekend for the Food Pantry.
There are many more events and celebrations happening at our National Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Shrine and Historic Site throughout the summer, including their 21st Annual Kateri Tekakwitha Peach Conference, August 16 & 17, 2019. Visit the Shrine’s “News & Events” webpage for more details.
Catholic Transcript: JulyAugust 2019 Article on the Fonda Shrine
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Our Shrine of St. Anthony, Little Portion Farm & Carrollton Hall Historic Site (Ellicott City, MD) is also a very unique property. This site is situated on historic land, previously part of the vast Maryland property owned by the Charles Carroll family, known as Folly Quarter. The manor house known as Carrollton Hall was the home of Emily Caton McTavish (+1867), a favorite granddaughter of Charles Carroll of Carrollton (+1832), one of four Marylanders to sign the Declaration of Independence and the ONLY Roman Catholic. Members of the Carroll family have served the U.S. in government and as benefactors of religious orders & universities, even giving the land needed to create the U.S. Capital in Washington, DC. A cousin of Charles Carroll, Baltimore’s Bishop John Carroll, SJ, became the nation’s first Catholic Bishop. The manor house, gifted Emily by Charles, has served in many capacities through the years, including as a seminary for our friars. It is now in the midst of being lovingly restored and will serve as an historic cultural center dedicated to Faith, Family and Country.
Little Portion Farm is a part of our province JPIC Office. Located on the same property, this 3-acre agro-ecosystem produces food donated to the Franciscan Center in Baltimore. It also serves as a place of gathering, service, reflection and education ~ “cultivating a deeper appreciation of the beauty of the natural world and its interconnectedness, and realizing the Catholic call to serve the most vulnerable and protect creation.
The center piece of this site is our Shrine of St. Anthony. Home to our friars for over 70 years, it was dedicated as a Shrine of the Archdiocese of Baltimore in 2005. Join our friars to celebrate Daily Mass, Adoration or Special Prayer Services in the Shrine’s Chapel. with multiple opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation available throughout the week. Explore the Grounds which include Pray Paths, Outdoor Stations of the Cross, an Open Air St. Maximilian M. Kolbe, OFM Conv. Shrine, and a beautiful Grotto of Our Lady. The Shrine also houses a Major Relic of St. Anthony of Padua, given to the friars of our province as a gift from our confreres in Padua, Italy. A special ceremony of reception of the relic took place in the Fall of 2000. The relic, and the unique reliquary that holds it, can be found in the Chapel which is open to the public for prayers and reflection. Be sure to check out the Shrine’s online calendar to see what is happening when you come to visit.
After Mass on the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady & St. Anthony’s Birthday (August 15th),
stay and share some cake with the friars, staff, volunteers and pilgrims.
The lower level of the Shrine’s building is also home to our Companions of St. Anthony ministry. You may have received one of our prayer book or religious goods mailings from this office which serves the province mission advancement, evangelization and development efforts. Visit their website for more information, including a page dedicated to Fr. Jude’s Daily Reflections. {Fr. Jude Winkler, OFM Conv. is a friar of our province who serves as CFF (Conventual Franciscan Federation) Assistant General of our Order.} One this property, you will also find our province’s Solar Panel Array and our Provincial House Offices (Administration, Finance Office and Healthcare Ministry of the Province).
