About Our Lady of Martyrs · Fultonville, New York
The National Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs, also known as the National Shrine of the North American Martyrs, is a Roman Catholic national shrine on 600+ acres of flowered, tree-studded grounds in the hamlet of Auriesville (within the Town of Glen, Montgomery County), near Fultonville, New York. It marks the site of the 17th-century Mohawk village of Ossernenon, where Jesuit missionaries St. Isaac Jogues, lay brother St. René Goupil, and lay missionary St. John (Jean de) Lalande were martyred in the 1640s, and where St. Kateri Tekakwitha was born in 1656. For over 130 years the shrine was owned and directed by the Jesuits; since March 22, 2017 it has been owned and operated by the lay-led non-profit Friends of Our Lady of Martyrs Shrine, Inc. On January 27, 2025 the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops officially designated it a national shrine for pilgrims.
- Established
- 1884
- Patron
- The North American Martyrs — Sts. Isaac Jogues, René Goupil, and John (Jean de) Lalande; also St. Kateri Tekakwitha
- Rector
- The shrine is a non-parochial national shrine without a diocesan 'pastor'; current leadership is by the lay-led Friends of Our Lady of Martyrs Shrine, Inc. Fr. Roger Landry (a diocesan priest, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies) is publicly associated with the shrine's leadership, and Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger of Albany serves as chairman of the Board. Recent Jesuit shrine directors have included Rev. John Paret, S.J. and Rev. John Marzolf, S.J.
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany (physically located within the diocese, but owned and operated independently by the Friends of Our Lady of Martyrs Shrine, Inc.)
Why belong here
The National Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs draws tens of thousands of pilgrims each year because it is a place where the soil itself is marked by the witness of three Jesuit martyrs and the birthplace of the first Native American saint, St. Kateri Tekakwitha. Visitors can attend daily Mass in the extraordinary round Coliseum Church with its seventy doors, walk the Ravine where Father Jogues buried René Goupil in 1642, follow the outdoor Stations of the Cross, spend time in the Saints of Auriesville Museum, join men's and women's recollections led by Fr. Tom Morrette, and take part in seasonal events such as the annual Pilgrimage for Restoration, the NYS Knights of Columbus Pilgrimage, the Hispanic Eucharistic Gathering, and novenas to St. Kateri (July 6–14) and to the Martyrs (Oct. 11–19). As the country's newest officially designated USCCB national shrine, it offers Catholics a uniquely rooted, grace-filled place of prayer, reconciliation, and pilgrimage right in the Mohawk Valley.
Mass times at Our Lady of Martyrs
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday–Saturday: 10:30–10:50 AM (before the 11:00 AM Mass)
- Sunday: 9:30 AM (before the 9:30 AM Mass)
- Monday–Friday: 3:00–5:00 PM (during adoration block)
Adoration times
- Monday–Friday: 3:00–5:00 PM (Confession, Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, and The Seven Sorrows of Mary)
- Men's Recollection: Friday 6:30–8:00 PM in the St. Kateri Chapel
- Women's Recollection: Saturday 9:00–10:30 AM in the St. Kateri Chapel
- Private Eucharistic Adoration can be arranged for pilgrim groups that bring a priest
Shrine History
The story of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs is the convergence of a 17th-century Mohawk village, the blood of three Jesuit martyrs, and the birthplace of St. Kateri Tekakwitha. In 1642 René Goupil was killed at Ossernenon after being caught teaching a child the sign of the cross; Father Isaac Jogues was held captive and later ransomed; he returned in 1646 as a peace ambassador and was tomahawked on October 19, along with John Lalande the next day. The Catholic historian John Gilmary Shea and General J. S. Clarke of Auburn identified the Auriesville site, and in 1884 the Rev. Joseph Loyzance, S.J., pastor of St. Joseph's in Troy, bought ten acres of the Putnam farm, erected a cross and a small chapel, and named the site 'Our Lady of Martyrs.' The first Mass was celebrated on August 15, 1885 before 4,000 pilgrims from Albany and Troy. The Jesuits expanded the property for the next 130 years; on March 22, 2017 the deed was transferred to the lay-led Friends of Our Lady of Martyrs Shrine, Inc., and on January 27, 2025 the USCCB designated it a national shrine.
- 1642 — René Goupil martyred at Ossernenon (Sept. 29)
- 1646 — Isaac Jogues martyred (Oct. 19); John Lalande martyred (Oct. 20)
- 1656 — Birth of Kateri Tekakwitha at Ossernenon
- 1680 — Death of Kateri in Kahnawake, Canada
- 1884 — Fr. Joseph Loyzance, S.J. purchases 10 acres and erects the cross and small chapel
- 1885 — First Mass, Aug. 15 (Feast of the Assumption); 4,000 pilgrims; The Pilgrim magazine founded
- 1925 — Eight North American Martyrs beatified
- 1930 — Eight North American Martyrs canonized (June 29); Coliseum construction begins
- 1931 — Coliseum Church completed
- 1996 — First Pilgrimage for Restoration
- 2012 — St. Kateri Tekakwitha canonized (Oct. 21)
- 2017 — Jesuits transfer deed to the Friends of Our Lady of Martyrs Shrine (March 22)
- 2023 — Coliseum filled for the NY State Eucharistic Congress (October)
- 2025 — USCCB designates the shrine a national shrine (Jan. 27); centenary of the Martyrs' beatification
The Coliseum Church
Built in 1930–31 in the tradition of a Roman amphitheater — the very places where early Christians were martyred — the Coliseum is one of the first circular churches in the United States and one of the largest-capacity Catholic churches in the Western Hemisphere. It has seventy doors, recalling the seventy disciples Christ sent out in Luke 10:1, and a statue of St. Isaac Jogues above the main entrance. It seats about 6,500 with total capacity for up to 8,000. The Coliseum is the daily home of the shrine's Mass schedule and is open to visitors till dusk during the season.
- Construction began in 1930, completed in 1931
- 70 doors — symbolizing the 70 disciples
- Seating ~6,500; total capacity up to 8,000
- Statue of St. Isaac Jogues above the main entrance
- Fills daily Masses and major pilgrimages
The Ravine
The Ravine is the natural feature — with its watercourse and rivulet — that Father Jogues himself described in his letters as the place where René Goupil's body was found and where he buried his companion in 1642. It is still a place of prayer marked with rosaries, devotional art, and interpretive captions, and is open to pilgrims until dusk.
- Original site of Goupil's burial in 1642
- Marked with rosaries and devotional art
- Open till dusk in season
Saints of Auriesville Museum
The Saints of Auriesville Museum places the North American Martyrs and St. Kateri Tekakwitha in their full historical context — from Mohawk life and the arrival of French and Dutch explorers, to the Jesuit missions in Canada, the captures and martyrdoms at Ossernenon, and the conversion of Kateri Tekakwitha. Storyboards, period artifacts (a Jesuit 'black robe,' L. F. Tantillo paintings, bone and stone tools, wampum, sweet-grass baskets, birch-bark canoes, deerskins, clay pipes, wooden shoes), and a documentary viewing room give pilgrims both an educational and a catechetical experience. Daily in season, 10:30 AM–3:30 PM; the exhibits area and documentary room hold 25–30 people each.
- Storyboard timeline of Mohawk and mission history
- L. F. Tantillo paintings of St. Isaac Jogues
- Mockup of Jogues's 'black box'
- 19th-century Iroquois catechism and 17th-century prayer bell
- Stained-glass photographs
- Documentary viewing room
Pilgrimage Schedule & Visitor Center
Daily in season (mid-April through October 19): Mass at 11:00 AM Mon–Sat and 9:30 AM Sunday in the Coliseum, with confessions 10:30–10:50 AM Mon–Sat and at 9:30 AM Sunday. Adoration, Confession, Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, and the Seven Sorrows of Mary are prayed Monday–Friday 3:00–5:00 PM. The Visitor Center offers lunch daily 10:00 AM–3:00 PM (BYO or catered), and the Gift Shop is open daily 10:00 AM–3:00 PM. The Coliseum, Martyrs' Chapel, and Ravine are open till dusk.
- Mass times: Mon–Sat 11:00 AM; Sun 9:30 AM (Coliseum)
- Confessions: 10:30–10:50 AM Mon–Sat, 9:30 AM Sun
- Adoration block: Mon–Fri 3:00–5:00 PM
- Museum: daily 10:30 AM–3:30 PM
- Gift Shop: daily 10:00 AM–3:00 PM
- Visitor Center lunch: daily 10:00 AM–3:00 PM
Special Pilgrimages & Annual Events
Each year the shrine hosts a remarkable calendar of pilgrimages and special events. The Pilgrimage for Restoration, now in its 30th year, is a 62-mile, three-day walk modeled on the ancient Pentecost Pilgrimage to Notre-Dame de Chartres, ending at Auriesville with a 3 PM Latin Mass. The New York State Knights of Columbus hold their annual pilgrimage with a 4 PM Mass. The First Hispanic Eucharistic Encounter, celebrated with Bishop Joseph Espaillat, includes a Spanish Mass at 12:00 PM. The Feast of St. Josemaría Escrivá is marked with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Mark O'Connell. Two novenas prepare the faithful each year: the Novena to St. Kateri (July 6–14) and the Novena to the North American Martyrs (October 11–19).
- Pilgrimage for Restoration (62 miles over 3 days; 30th year in 2025) — concludes with 3 PM Latin Mass
- NYS Knights of Columbus Pilgrimage (4 PM Mass)
- First Hispanic Eucharistic Encounter (Bishop Espaillat, Spanish Mass 12:00 PM)
- Feast of St. Josemaría Escrivá Mass (Bishop Mark O'Connell)
- Novena to St. Kateri Tekakwitha (July 6–14)
- Novena to the North American Martyrs (Oct. 11–19)
Men's and Women's Recollections (Opus Dei)
Recollections are held monthly in the St. Kateri Chapel and are an apostolate of local cooperators of Opus Dei, open to anyone interested in attending. The format includes exposition and adoration, a meditation by Fr. Tom Morrette, examination of conscience, opportunity for confession, and a talk by a lay member of Opus Dei. After the men's recollection, ladies and families are invited for informal fellowship with pizza and drinks in the Visitor Center.
- Men's Recollection: Friday 6:30–8:00 PM (St. Kateri Chapel)
- Women's Recollection: Saturday 9:00–10:30 AM (St. Kateri Chapel)
- Meditation by Fr. Tom Morrette
- Confession available
- Talk by lay Opus Dei member
- Optional 11:00 AM Mass in the Coliseum afterward
- RSVP: [email protected] or text 518-390-6815
Convert Class
A weekly Convert Class is taught by Bill Baaki — a Catholic convert, husband, father, and lawyer — on Saturday mornings at 10:00 AM in the Martyrs Bookstore. It is designed for those exploring the Catholic faith, returning after time away, or recent converts/reverts wanting to deepen their understanding of Church history and doctrine.
- Saturday 10:00 AM, Martyrs Bookstore
- Taught by Bill Baaki (convert, lawyer)
- Open to inquirers, converts, and reverts
Staff & Leadership
Since 2017 the shrine has been operated by the Friends of Our Lady of Martyrs Shrine, Inc., a non-profit corporation whose Board is chaired, in a personal capacity, by Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger of the Diocese of Albany. The day-to-day team includes Executive Director Julie Baaki, Pilgrimage Coordinator & Museum Manager Beth Lynch, Visitor Center & Gift Shop Manager Michele Benton, and Marketing & Special Events lead Mickie Baldwin. Fr. Roger Landry (Monsignor and National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies) is publicly associated with the shrine's leadership, and Fr. Tom Morrette leads the monthly recollections in the St. Kateri Chapel.
- Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger — Chairman of the Board
- Julie Baaki — Executive Director
- Beth Lynch — Pilgrimage Coordinator & Museum Manager
- Michele Benton — Visitor Center & Gift Shop Manager
- Mickie Baldwin — Marketing & Special Events
- Fr. Roger Landry — associated with shrine leadership
- Fr. Tom Morrette — recollection leader
Plan Your Pilgrimage
Pilgrims of all sizes, ages, and backgrounds are welcome. There is no set fee for individuals or for parking; if a pilgrimage celebrates Mass, a free-will collection is taken as a donation. The Friends of the Shrine offer both self-guided and staff-guided tours, can arrange private Mass and Eucharistic Adoration for groups that bring a priest, and make a golf cart available for those with mobility needs. The grounds are uneven in places and an interpreter is not currently provided, so groups needing language help should designate an interpreter in advance. To schedule a pilgrimage, complete the online form on the website or contact [email protected] / (518) 853-3939. The shrine's YouTube channel (OLMShrine) also offers informative videos on the history of the shrine, the Martyrs, and St. Kateri to help pilgrims prepare.
- No set fee for individuals or parking
- Self-guided and staff-guided tours available
- Private Mass / Eucharistic Adoration by arrangement
- Golf cart available for those with mobility needs
- Interpreters not provided — groups should designate one if needed
- Schedule via the online form on ourladyofmartyrsshrine.org
- Prep videos on the YouTube channel @OLMShrine
Sacraments & Devotions
Daily Mass in the Coliseum is the spiritual heart of the shrine. Confessions are heard before each Mass and during the weekday adoration block (3:00–5:00 PM). Eucharistic Adoration is offered Monday through Friday, and special Adoration is part of each monthly recollection. A novena to St. Kateri Tekakwitha is prayed July 6–14 and to the North American Martyrs October 11–19. Other devotions woven into the weekly rhythm include the Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and the Seven Sorrows of Mary.
- Daily Mass (Coliseum)
- Confession before each Mass and during Mon–Fri 3–5 PM
- Eucharistic Adoration (Mon–Fri 3:00–5:00 PM)
- Novena to St. Kateri (July 6–14)
- Novena to the North American Martyrs (Oct. 11–19)
- Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, Seven Sorrows of Mary
- Baptism, Marriage, Anointing — via Friends of the Shrine
The Site of Ossernenon
The hamlet of Auriesville in the Town of Glen, Montgomery County, is identified — after decades of research by John Gilmary Shea, General J. S. Clarke, and the early Jesuits — as the site of Ossernenon, the Mohawk village where Saints René Goupil, Isaac Jogues, and John Lalande gave their lives for the faith and where Kateri Tekakwitha was born in 1656. A 2025 book by Richard Upsher Smith Jr., 'The Catholic Holy Sites of the Mohawk Valley,' argues that the martyrdoms and Kateri's birth actually took place several miles upriver (the Bauder Site in Root Township and the Printup Site in Glen Township respectively); the shrine acknowledges this view while maintaining that the Jesuit Fathers correctly placed the shrine on the basis of years of painstaking research and investigation.
- Identified by John Gilmary Shea and Gen. J. S. Clarke as the site of Ossernenon
- Challenged in Richard Upsher Smith Jr.'s 2025 book
- Site of Goupil's martyrdom (1642) and Jogues/Lalande's martyrdom (1646)
- Birthplace of Kateri Tekakwitha (1656)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Joseph Loyzance, S.J.1884–?
Parish priest of St. Joseph's, Troy, NY. Purchased 10 acres of the Putnam farm in 1884, erected the cross and small chapel, named the site 'Our Lady of Martyrs,' celebrated the first Mass on August 15, 1885 before 4,000 pilgrims, and founded The Pilgrim magazine.
- Society of Jesus (Jesuits) — New York, Maryland, and New England Provinces1884–2017
Owned, staffed, and directed the shrine continuously for more than 130 years through a succession of Jesuit provinces. Noted Jesuit directors and members of the resident community (names partial) include Fr. John Paret, S.J. (shrine director for six years, until 2017) and Fr. John Marzolf, S.J. (shrine director from 2017).
- Rev. John Paret, S.J.c. 2011–2017
Served as Jesuit shrine director for six years; replaced in summer 2017 by Fr. John Marzolf.
- Rev. John Marzolf, S.J.2017–
First Jesuit director to oversee both the shrine and the retreat house in recent years; also superior of the resident Jesuit community; previously taught at Le Moyne, Syracuse University and Boston College and served as superior of a Jesuit community in Nigeria.
- Friends of Our Lady of Martyrs Shrine, Inc.March 22, 2017–present
Lay-led, non-profit corporation that received the deed of the main campus from the Jesuits. Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger of Albany chairs the Board. Julie Baaki is executive director.
