Bishop William A. Wack, CSC, Celebrated Mass of Thanksgiving 

Celebration Marks Closing of the Diocesan Phase and the Beginning of the Roman Phase for the Beatification Cause of Antonio Inija and Companions.

                                        

Thursday, October 12, 2023, Bishop William A. Wack, CSC, of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving and ceremony for the closing of the Diocesan phase of the cause for  Beatification of Antonio Inija and Companions with approximately 650 worshipers. The outdoor Mass began at 11 AM ET at the site held for the future Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Martyrs in Tallahassee, FL. 
                                      

Joining Bishop Wack were

• Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski, Diocese of Miami
• Bishop Gregory L. Parkes, Diocese of St. Petersburg
• Bishop Erik T. Pohlmeier, Diocese of St. Augustine
• Bishop Emeritus Robert J. Baker, STD, Diocese of Birmingham, AL
• Deacon Andrew Orosco, Ipai-Kumeyaay, San Pasqual Band
• Deacon Scott J. Conway, Diocese of St. Augustine

Also concelebrating the Mass was Monsignor Ramon Polcari, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Havana, Fr. Alberto Rodriguez, from Medina de Rioseco, Spain, and priests from Florida and across the country. At the conclusion of the Mass, the Tribunal presented Bishop Wack with their findings and the research of the Historical Commission, which will now be delivered  to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints in Rome. 

“After centuries (literally) of waiting and preparing for this moment, we are finally ready to close the Diocesan Phase for the Beatification Cause of Antonio Inija and Companions, Martyrs of La Florida. The witness of these clerics, laymen and women, and children inspires us and assists us today in the lands where they lived and died. If God wills that they are Beatified, the whole world will come to know them and will benefit from their intercession and example,” stated Bishop Wack. 

Prior to the start of the Mass, guests listened to music provided under the direction of Colleen Nixon. Joining her was William Buchholtz Pukinaage Mukwa of the Algonquians. 

The opening Processional included:
Honor Guard: Knights of Columbus, Knights of Malta, Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem
Representatives of the Beatification Process: Petitioner, Historical Commission, Vice Postulators
Representatives for the Martyrs: the fifty-eight martyrs were killed during the initial missionary outreach to La Florida in the mid-16^th century, following the expansion of the missions in the 17^th century, and during the collapse of the missions around the beginning of the 18^th century. They include

•  Missionaries from the Dominican, Jesuit, Franciscan, & St. John of God orders
• Indigenous from the Apalachee, Aypaja, Guale, & Timucua peoples
• Individuals from Spain and of Spanish-descent from Cuba & Florida
• Lay men, women, & children (one unborn).
• Chiefs & governors; altar boys & sacristans. 

The post communion meditation was a Prayer to Our Lady After Communion written by a Timucuan Native American compiled by Gregorio Movilla in 1635. The prayer was sung by a choir of Servant Sisters of the Home of the Mother and Knights Ensemble form Assumption School in Jacksonville.


"This truly is a historic moment in time. The process of canonization is exceptionally detailed and complicated, and this event brings us one step closer in honoring, celebrating, and memorializing those that literally gave their lives for the perpetuation of their faith and Christian beliefs," stated Chris Stavres, president of the Martyrs of La Florida Missions Board