US Catholics are discovering a hidden but glorious legacy of holy lives and martyrs in North America thanks to the Tekakwitha Conference.

The great “Golden Age” of Catholic Missions in Florida came to a violent demise. But, like all martyrs, Antonio’s sacrifice was not in vain. “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church,” wrote Tertullian, and this is most certainly the case with the Florida Martyrs.

Bishop Bill Wack had a wonderful trip to Havana on May 28th and 29th.

Bishop William A. Wack CSC of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, will be traveling to Havana, Cuba on May 28, 2018 to seek the formal involvement of Catholic Church authorities in Cuba with the cause for the beatification of the Martyrs of la Florida.

Famed "Miracle Hunter" Michael O'Neill’s original EWTN series They Might Be Saints will air a special one-hour episode on Wednesday, June 6, 2018 at 10:00 p.m. EDT featuring the proposed Martyrs of la Florida.

EWTN Live 8 pm EST Fr. Mitch Pacwa previews the documentary with director Michael O'Neill, vice postulator Fr. Len Plazewski and petitioner Heather Jordan

Bishop Parkes standing by their beautiful Florida martyrs stained glass window in the Church.

U.S. Catholics in the 21st century should come to know and love the martyrs of the La Florida missions. These martyrs are candidates for canonization, but were also all real men, women, and children, with inspiring stories of faith, love and forgiveness.

More than 1,000 Catholics, priests, religious and lay faithful — both European and Native American — associated with the Spanish mission territory of La Florida shed their blood for the Catholic faith from Florida all the way to Virginia from 1549 to 1763.

The No Greater Love Festival was held in St. Augustine, at the Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche at Mission Nombre de Dios, March 4. The arts and music festival honored the martyrs of La Florida, Antonio Cuipa and companions, and benefitted the Knights of Columbus’ “Christians at Risk” initiative.

The long voyage to the New World has led the sailors to the shores of the “Tierra de Pascua Florida” (Flowery Easter land). Father Pedro Martínez decides to venture into the wooded thicket of Tallahassee to find groups of indigenous people in order to fulfill the mission that has taken him to the ends of the known world.

While not a missionary, Antonio is significant because he and his fellow converts are the fruit of a 150-year effort to preach the Gospel to the natives in this part of the New World.

On October 12, 2016, Knights of Columbus Florida State Deputy Don Goolesby and many brother Knights joined the one-year anniversary celebration of the opening of the cause for canonization for Servants of God Antonio Cuipa and Companions.

Many Native Americans were killed for their faith in Florida in the 18th century; theirs is a striking testimony of indigenous faith and Franciscan evangelization.

On June 11, 2016, Dr. Soha spoke about Catholic evangelization in America and the witness of faith by St. Kateri and the Martyrs of La Florida as part of the Mission of Faith Lecture Series presented at the Knights of Columbus Museum.

At the invitation of the bishops of the USCCB Subcommittee on Native American Affairs, Dr. Mary Soha gave a presentation of the Martyrs of La Florida

Bishop Parkes addresses the body of the USCCB, seeking their blessing to proceed with the Cause for Canonization of the Martyrs of La Florida. The motion was approved unanimously.

Almost 450 years ago, Jesuit Father Pedro Martínez was killed off the coast of Florida, making him the first Jesuit martyr of the New World.

A Reflection on the Florida-Georgia Martyrs

The outdoor Mass and opening of the sainthood cause for 86 Florida martyrs -- known as Antonio Cuipa and Companions -- was celebrated Oct. 12, just east of Tallahassee, the site of what will become the Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Martyrs.