In 2006 a homeschool dad and two homeschool moms sat on chairs at these steps in Tallahassee and talked. “If we have martyrs, we better let the Vatican know. And we probably should build them a shrine.” Though they did not realize it at the time, with this uninformed conversation they were picking up a centuries-old effort where the first bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee had left it in the 1970’s.
(2006) Fr. Kevin Johnson provides spiritual direction and a cross is erected at the planned shrine site.
(2006) Two eighth graders, Ryan Sweeney and Patrick Mangan, do their History Fair project on the Last Stand that the Spanish and native people took together to protect the Catholic Missions. Among those interviewed were Dr. John Worth, anthropologist, archaeologist and Spanish mission scholar; Chief Gilmer Bennet of the Apalachee; Dr. John Hann, Historian at Mission San Luis; Fr. Tom Murphy, Franciscan who wrote Cradle of the Catholic Church in America;Scott McNutt, Creek native and archaeologist.All would become key to the effort.
A group of families became “holding families” to hold the 78 acre parcel of land in Tallahassee for a shrine. An organization was also formed as a non-profit to support the shrine effort and ultimately the beatification effort.
Bishop Gregory Parkes, the newly ordained bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee, blesses the land, the research effort, and the statue of St. Joseph (held for the shrine) on the feast of the Queenship of Mary, 2012.
Pilgrims walk from Mission San Luis to the shrine site annually to remember those who took the final stand for the missions on July 4th, 1704.
Martyr History Conference
In January 2014, with the blessing of Bishop Gregory Parkes, the martyrs ministry hosted a Martyr History Conference in Tallahassee. This conference was without a doubt the turning point in the effort to further the beatification cause. Theologians, archaeologists, anthropologists and historians presented and discussed the remarkable martyrdom events and the faithful and extraordinary men, women, and children - now known as the Martyrs of La Florida.
The lay ministry board became the Petitioner in the beatification process. The Petitioner continues to lead the threefold effort to promote the beatification, build a shrine to Mary, Queen of the Martyrs, and spread devotion to the martyrs.
Priests and lay people are commissioned to move the beatification forward and to spread devotion. The committee, which dedicated its effort to Our Lady of La Leche and St. Kateri, meets twice a year, alternating between St. Augustine and Tampa. The committee has sponsored a graphic novel telling the story of many of the martyrs, a K-12 curriculum, a documentary, and numerous talks and presentations across the Southeast and nationwide.
The Historical Commission was responsible for compiling and presenting documentary evidence of the martyrdoms. Their work took them to archival sites in Spain, Cuba, Mexico, the Vatican, Rome, London, and the US.
Bishop Parkes established the Tribunal, composed of three canon lawyers: Rev. Joseph Fowler, JCL; Rev. Timothy Lindenfelser, JCL; and Rev. Joseph Waters, JCL. The Tribunal traveled across the country and interviewed numerous bishops, priests, and lay people about the holiness of the presumed martyrs and their reputation of martyrdom.
With permission of the bishop, the Petitioner appoints Dr. Hilgeman as Postulator, who then appoints his Vice Postulators. The Postulator guides the beatification process through the Diocesan and Roman phases.
The night before the cause opens, many come together to celebrate.
On the Feast of Our Lady of the Pilar, October 12, 2015 Bishop Parkes formally opened the beatification cause.
Bishop Gregory Parkes opens the cause. He is joined by his brother bishops, Bishop Felipe Estévez, Bishop Emeritus Kevin Boland, and Bishop Emeritus Sam Jacobs.
Mass on October 12, 2015.
Opening Ceremony followed Mass. Bishop Parkes declares the martyrs Servants of God!
Over the next eight years, the Historical Commission conducted research in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Missouri, Louisiana as well as Cuba, Mexico, Spain, Rome, and the Vatican. The Tribunal conducted interviews and the Petitioner and Canonization Committee continued to share the great stories of the martyrs through books, a documentary, and numerous presentations.
With the end of the Diocesan Phase at last in sight, those with roles in the beatification process held a Conference June 30-July 2 in Tampa at the Franciscan Retreat Center.
The event was formally called the Extraordinary Convocation for the Cause of the Florida Martyrs - informally hailed as Martyr Mania!
Final edits to the Relatio are decided.
On October 12th, eight years to the day, the Diocesan Phase closes and the Cause is sent to Rome.