Shrine
Mary, Queen of Martyrs

following Beatification:
 Mary, Queen of 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 will be developing the final schematic designs for the oratory. We are thrilled with their initial designs and look forward to their completion.  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.  The schematic designs are anticipated to be completed by November 2022.  Here is a sneak peak at the plans with an animation to help visualize what the final site will look like.

Click Here To Download the Animated Site Plans

What would they have built, had they the means?

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

Location and Significance of the Site

        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. Although the wait for benefactors is long and difficult, the Lord has abundantly blessed this effort.

       On a beautiful afternoon on October 12, 2015 the land hosted the opening of the beatification cause.  There gathered four bishops, fifty priests and hundreds of lay people, exuberant that God’s day has come and that the faithful martyrs’ love and perseverance is coming to be known across the land.

 

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!