From June 19th to July 5th I completed a Supervised Experience in Ministry (SEM) at Martyr’s Shrine in Midland. This is the national shrine dedicated to the Canadian Martyrs, eight Jesuit Missionaries who gave their lives serving the indigenous people of Huronia and the surrounding territories. Within my first couple of days at the Shrine, I was fortunate enough to make the 12 km pilgrimage to St. Ignace II, the place of martyrdom of St. Jean de Brebeuf and St. Gabriel Lalament. Even more, St. Joseph’s Church on the shrine houses the relics of St. Jean, Gabriel, and Charles Garnier. To say the very least, for these two or so weeks, I lived and worked on tremendously holy ground.
Working at the shrine involved various tasks, some liturgical, some pastoral, and some very practical. Never having been to the shrine before, I was unsure of what to expect. I had to be flexible and grow in my willingness to be uncomfortable in my work. Serving Mass during a heatwave in a church with no air conditioning is truly a sacrificial experience! All this made me reflect on how service is first and foremost a calling, rather than a choice. Often we want to serve on our own terms, in the ways that we want. But in striving to love those we serve, we are asked rather to serve as we are needed. I am inspired by St. Jean de Brebeuf and his companions who endured years of hardship to learn the Wendat language and culture, recognizing that they came to this land not as teachers, but as students. Their martyrdoms were not a fluke, but rather the result of a life constantly laid down for those whom they ministered to. I am thankful to have touched this spirit during my time at the shrine. 
Finally, I had the honour of blessing pilgrims at the shrine with the relics of the martyrs mentioned above. These were deeply prayerful and holy moments, as pilgrims came forward seeking healing and favours from God through the ministry of the martyrs. In a very real way, I came to see that the mission of the martyrs did not end with their deaths. Indeed our Lord was right when he said, "unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” (John 12:24). Furthermore, as I blessed people with the actual bodily fragments of the martyrs, I had a profound realization of the communion of saints, our union together with Christ, and the collective mission of His body. Taking up our cross is not a matter of individual effort, but mirrors the taking up of a torch from those who have gone before you, leading the way for those who will come after.
If you have the chance sometime, I highly recommend that you visit the Martyr’s Shrine, especially this year as it celebrates its centennial anniversary. Take care everyone and enjoy the rest of the Summer!
