Martyrs’ Shrine Gala – Celebrating Canada’s Early Church

On June 11, 2025, more than 500 guests including Metropolitan Archbishop of Toronto Frank Cardinal Leo, came together to celebrate the Martyrs’ Shrine. The National Shrine, opened in 1926 — almost 100 years ago — is located in Midland, Ont., and is home to the relics of the Canadian Martyrs, providing visitors a wonderful opportunity to travel on pilgrimage and recount the profound witness of the eight Jesuit missionaries from France who were martyred in the 17th century.

The 2025 Gala provided an opportunity for guests to visit hospitality stations where various cultural communities from throughout the archdiocese (Polish, Italian, Filipino, Vietnamese & Tamil) had a chance to share their cultural traditions, culinary creations and more information about their own pilgrimage each year to the Martyrs’ Shrine. The evening also included a silent and live auction, raising important funds to support critical projects underway to revitalize the Shrine, enhancing facilities that will welcome hundreds of thousands of pilgrims each year.

Special thanks to Fr. John O’Brien, S.J., Director of the Martyrs’ Shrine and the Gala committee for providing a beautiful evening of fellowship, education, engagement and prayer.

To learn more about the Martyrs’ Shrine, visit their website here. During this Year of Jubilee, pilgrims are also encouraged to join us for the Archdiocese of Toronto’s Jubilee Pilgrimage to the Martyrs’ Shrine, taking place on Sunday, August 24, 2025. More information on that event can be found here.

We give thanks for the blessing of the Martyrs’ Shrine, a visible reminder of our faith journey in Canada, the sacrifice of the Canadian Martyrs and a place of prayer, welcome and reflection.