A conversation and a beginning

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.

The Early Years

Cross is erected at the high point on the hill of the shrine site.

(2006) Fr. Kevin Johnson provides spiritual direction and a cross is erected at the planned shrine site. 

Middle school boys’ documentary bears good fruit.

(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.

 (2006) Bishop John Ricard SSJ, then Bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee, blesses the effort and directs the ministry’s next steps.

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.

Sharing the story

The martyr devotees prayed, researched and followed the motto: Share the martyrs’ story.

The shrine site was opened to the public and over 1,000 people came to learn.

Looking for artifacts.Bishop Arias blesses the shrine site while in Tallahassee researching for his book on martyrs.


(2011) Bishop Felipe Estévez guides the martyrs ministry. (2011) Archbishop Thomas Wenski, episcopal administrator, blesses the shrine site.

(9/3/2012) Bishop Estévez remembers the anniversary of our nation’s first born native born priest-martyr in the Cathedral of St. Augustine.Fr. Agustin Ponce de Leon’s baptismal certificate.

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.

Olmsted and Bishop Estevez celebrate Mass on October 15, 2012 at the shrine site.

5:00 AM Mass begins the July 4th Walk of Faith

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.

The Turning Point: The 2014 Martyr History Conference

       

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.

Chris Stavres (president) and Heather Jordan (secretary) sign the Notarial Act Petitioning Rome, February 10, 2015

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.

Kitchen table discussion with Postulator’s assistant Brother Cruz. Early lessons on how to pursue a beatification cause.

Bishops from across the Southeast authorize Bishop Gregory Parkes (then) of Pensacola-Tallahassee to lead the united beatification cause.  

Canonization Committee forms Nov 2014

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.  

A Tribunal is appointed and sworn in.

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.  

Dr. Waldery Hilgeman is appointed Postulator of the beatification cause.

Franciscan Friar Tom Murphy blesses Apalachee Chief Gilmer Bennet.

The night before the cause opens, many come together to celebrate.

The cause opens!

On the Feast of Our Lady of the Pilar, October 12, 2015 Bishop Parkes formally opened the beatification cause.

Apalachee Chief Gilmer Bennet and his family come to celebrate the great event.

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.

Wrapping it all up for Rome: Key gathering in Tampa

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!

 June 30-July 2, 2023 at the Franciscan Center in Tampa.  Bishops, priests, lay are thrilled to come together to work and celebrate.

Final edits to the Relatio are decided.

The Tribunal interrogates each historian under oath about the documentary evidence.

Bishop Parkes celebrates Mass with Bishop Wack and Bishop Pohlmeier.

Bishop Erik blesses an exact replica of the historic image of Our Lady of La Leche as a gift for Bishop Bill and his diocese.

On October 12th, eight years to the day, the Diocesan Phase closes and the Cause is sent to Rome.

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