Pilgrimage to the Canadian Martyrs’ Shrine

Rarely has the weather been so glorious or the spirit of prayer and good cheer been so strong as during this year’s pilgrimage to the Holy Canadian Martyrs’ Shrine in Midland, Ontario. Monday, March 16 marked the 360th Anniversary of the martyrdom of the missionaries St. Jean de Brébeuf and St. Gabriel Lalemant, and every year on this day the Academy makes a pilgrimage to their shrine. This trip has always been an incredibly blessed adventure in which students and staff have journeyed to remote sites in the woods and fields surrounding Midland to pray and follow in the footsteps of the early Jesuit martyrs. (To read a detailed account of the pilgrimage and the history surrounding it, click here.)

This year the Academy group was joined by approximately 50 pilgrims from Toronto. Both groups recited the Stations of the Cross at the Church Martyrs’ Shrine in Midland.

They then travelled together to the marker commemorating the first Mass celebrated in Ontario—a stone altar and cross in a farmer’s field. The pilgrims continued to a monument in the woods which marks the spot of the village St. Louis where the two saints were first captured. The pilgrimage concluded at St. Ignace, several miles away, where Sts. Brébeuf and Lalemant were martyred. A stone altar with a wooden canopy, a tall wooden cross, and two torture stakes are the only markers of the once-thriving village. Here, an account of the martyrdom was read aloud, and the day concluded with an outdoor celebration of Holy Mass. The day of pilgrimage was blessed by warm sunshine and a spirit of great peace.

“Love...is an ever fixed mark that looks on tempests and is never shaken...” (Sonnet 116)

Caliban (Jonathan Quist)

Ariel (Sally Beresford)

The Newman Guide to Choosing a Catholic College is now available online!

To read about Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy in the Guide, click here.

The Academy held its annual OLSWA formal on January 10th in special remembrance of the Feast of Epiphany. The students had freshly returned from Christmas holidays and were enthusiastic to celebrate the beginning of a new semester. Earlier in the day a bustling crew of volunteers transformed the basement of St. Hedwig Church into a hall of glowing candles and glittering lights, sweeping hangings, and exquisitely decorated tables. At evening all of the students, teachers, and staff arrived in their formal dress. After everyone mingled and greeted each other for a while, our school President Dr. Warner gave a short welcome, and people sat down to enjoy a lovely four-course dinner. At the end of the meal, two of the students performed a song for the ladies, while all of the men present left their seats and honoured every single woman in the room by presenting them each with a flower.

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                   The Hall  - Enjoying a Formal Dinner

After the meal, fine coffees and desserts baked by the students were brought out on tables. The lights were dimmed, and a student-led band kicked-off a night of dancing and entertainment.

Thank you to all the men of St. Paul Residence for organizing a wonderful evening of prayer and socializing to honour St. Paul’s Conversion. ¸

Alex McCune on keyboard, John Espadero and Jon Quist on Guitar

On Sunday, January 25th, the men residents of St. Paul’s invited all students and teachers to join them in an evening of praise and celebration. The night began with vespers followed by songs of worship. The boys had decorated their home cafe-style—complete with fine baked desserts, hot chocolate, fancy teas, and delicious coffees. Everyone enjoyed the refreshments and each other’s company for a while, and then to end off the evening, the lights were dimmed and a projector screen set up. The home-made movie, featuring the Epic Men of St. Paul Residence, played scenes from the many adventures and memories of the students’ year thus far at OLSWA.

Thanks for the delicious food, good company, and cheer!

Monday, February 2nd

This day marks the First Year Memorial of the death of
Janine Lieu and Paul Sanders.
Please pray for the repose of their souls and for all those who are still mourning their loss.

4:00-5:00 p.m. Holy hour at St. Hedwig Church
5:00 p.m. Mass and Candlelight Procession to the docks followed by Litany of the Faithful Departed

No classes this day.

Paul Sanders	Janine Lieu

For information about Memorial Scholarships, please click here.