Shrine of Mary,
Queen of the Martyrs

following Beatification:
 Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Martyrs of La Florida

“America, as we well know, has ever been a hero-worshipping country. Our national heroes, explorers, navigators, soldiers, our great educational leaders, our scientists and poets – all are enshrined in our halls of fame. But what of our spiritual heroes, our saints, our martyrs…?  Have we no care for them, no shrines to their memory?  Are they not too worthy of honor?”
 
                                                                     --Bishop John Mark Gannon
                                                                       Chair, Commission for the US Martyrs, 1957

“Our hope is that this place will be a spiritual blessing for many who come to pray and to learn about those who gave their lives to bring and to establish the Faith in our lands.”
       --Chris Stavres
         President, Martyrs of LaFlorida Missions
         Petitioner in the Cause for Beatification
 

Oratory

         The Martyrs of La Florida ministry is happy to announce that  Cram and Ferguson Architects have developed the final, completed schematic designs for the oratory.  We would like to extend a special thanks to Bishop Bill Wack, the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, and friends of the ministry for their generous help.  Please click the button below to see the digital brochure of the oratory and visitor's center which highlights some features of the proposed Shrine.

Digital Brochure from Cram & Ferguson

Here is an animated walk-through of the oratory.

What would they have built, had they the means?

Location and Significance of the Site

On August 28, 2017, Bishop Bill Wack of Pensacola-Tallahassee, bishop leading the beatification effort, blessed the land and effort.

        This peaceful land is located along the old mission road, El Camino Real.  Primary documents indicate that on or near this land, just west of the land that once was Mission San Pedro y Pablo de Patale , site of the martyrdom of Fr. Mendoza and his native sacristan,  the Last Battle was fought and lost for the Catholic Missions and the Faith in Apalachee (Tallahassee).  Servant of God, Baltasar Francisco, was captured at this last stand, tied to an outdoor Cross that surrounded the mission plaza, and was tortured and killed.  All the while, he proclaimed the Faith from the cross.  Following the devastating loss, the missions would fall like dominoes east across El Camino and the voice of the faithful would be silenced.  Yet, God remembers His faithful ones and takes delight in his saints.  And the land tells a compelling story, not lost on visitors today. 

     
    On a beautiful afternoon on October 12, 2015 the land hosted the opening of the beatification cause!



There is a magnificent home on the back 20 acres that is not part of the design plans for the shrine.  The home and 20 acres are available for purchase.  We pray that a community or individual buys it to restore it for use as a guest home or ministry.  Details can be seen on
Mansion And The Oaks.com
 

Invitation

        Would you like to be a part of building something of beauty that will inspire and bring others closer to Christ for many years to come?   

   The Martyrs ministry seeks benefactors to visit the site in Tallahassee to discuss plans for the shrine.  If you would like to visit and consider assistance, please email secretary@martyrsoflafloridamissions.org . Thank you!

Highlights from the final presentation of the Shrine design plans,
narrated by architect Matthew Alderman of Cram & Ferguson