Close to 4,000 Join Archdiocesan Jubilee Pilgrimage to Martyrs’ Shrine

Close to 4,000 Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Toronto and beyond came together on August 24, 2025 at the Martyrs’ Shrine in Midland, Ontario for our Year of Jubilee pilgrimage. Many pilgrims started the day as early as 6 a.m. departing from their parish or pick up point with buses making their way to the Shrine, a national holy and historic space honouring the lives of the Canadian Martyrs.

Bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated men and women along with lay faithful representing parishes and lay movements joined Cardinal Frank Leo under sunny skies for a beautiful outdoor celebration of Holy Mass. The Eucharist was celebrated at the Papal Altar, where Saint John Paul II celebrated Mass during his 1984 visit.

In his homily, Cardinal Leo reflected on the virtue of hope, the central theme to this Year of Jubilee. In the words of His Eminence:

“The moment of our baptism we receive the wonderful virtue of hope. Hope helps us stay connected to the Lord. Hope is faith in action…it involves placing all of our trust in God, especially in difficult situations in our life…The beauty of the virtue of hope is that the more we use it and share it with others, the more it increases in us.” He went on to speak of the powerful example of the Holy Canadian Martyrs.

Throughout the day, dozens of priests heard confessions with hundreds of pilgrims lining up to experience the powerful sacrament of reconciliation. The afternoon included a Rosary Procession throughout the Shrine grounds followed by Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction. Of course, along the way there was plenty of fellowship and a wonderful opportunity for Catholics to connect with friends old and new.

To learn more about the Martyrs’ Shrine visit their website here. In the words of Fr. John O’Brien, S.J., Director of the Martyrs’ Shrine:

“The lives of the eight Canadian Martyrs and the inspiring faith of the Christian Hurons are a perennial beacon of hope and encouragement. They intercede for us when we invoke them by name, and here at this holy land where they poured out their lives, we can truly expect an outpouring of grace into ours.

We extend a special thank you to all those involved in organizing this wonderful archdiocesan pilgrimage during the Year of Jubilee. In particular, we thank Fr. O’Brien along with his team and volunteers. We also express our gratitude to the Archdiocese of Toronto’s Jubilee Committee under the direction of Fr. Tim Hanley along with all those who assisted with Mass and other aspects of the day.

Let us continue our Jubilee Year as Pilgrims of Hope. In the words of the late Pope Francis: "We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us, and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision."