Catholic Pilgrimage Sites in Midland, Ontario
A guide to the shrines, missions, and sacred grounds of Huronia — the cradle of the Catholic faith in English-speaking Canada.
Where to Begin
Martyrs’ Shrine, the national heart of the pilgrimage
Plan Your Route
Ready-made half-day, 1-day, and 2-day itineraries
Why Midland Is a Pilgrimage Destination
Midland sits at the heart of Huronia, the region where French Jesuit missionaries lived among the
Wendat (Huron) people between 1639 and 1649. It was here that St. Jean de Brébeuf, St. Gabriel
Lalemant, and their companions carried out their mission — and where several of them were martyred.
Canonized in 1930 as the Canadian Martyrs, they are honoured today at the Martyrs’ Shrine, a National
Historic Shrine that draws over 100,000 pilgrims a year. Alongside the reconstructed mission of
Sainte-Marie among the Hurons and the actual site of martyrdom at St. Ignace II, Midland offers one of
the most complete and moving pilgrimage experiences in North America — a place where the roots of
Catholicism in Canada can be walked, prayed, and witnessed firsthand.
Map of Midland, Ontario and its key pilgrimage sites
Quick Facts
| Best known for | The Martyrs’ Shrine and the site where St. Jean de Brébeuf and St. Gabriel Lalemant were martyred in 1649 |
| Suggested time | 1–2 days |
| Best time to visit | Mid-May through mid-October, when the Shrine grounds, outdoor Stations of the Cross, and Sainte-Marie among the Hurons are fully open. The Feast of the Canadian Martyrs (September 26) and Rosary Sunday in late summer are especially significant. |
Featured Pilgrimage Sites
Martyrs’ Shrine
A twin-spired stone church built in 1926, honouring the Canadian Martyrs and holding relics of
St. Jean de Brébeuf, St. Gabriel Lalemant, and St. René Goupil. Grounds include an outdoor Way
of the Cross and a papal altar built for St. John Paul II’s 1984 visit.
Sainte-Marie among the Hurons
The reconstructed 17th-century Jesuit mission that served as the base for the Huronia missions,
with a chapel marking the burial place of Sts. Brébeuf and Lalemant — a tangible connection to
the missionaries’ daily life and faith.
St. Ignace II
A quiet field off Rosemount Road marks the exact site where St. Jean de Brébeuf and St. Gabriel
Lalemant were captured and martyred in March 1649 — connected to the Shrine by a paved former
rail trail, a favourite for walking pilgrimages.
Secondary & Lesser-Known Sites
Sainte-Marie II (Christian Island)
The Jesuits’ short-lived second mission site, established in 1649 after Sainte-Marie I was abandoned; accessible by ferry from Cedar Point, Tiny Township.
Notre-Dame de Sainte-Croix Parish, Midland
A historic local parish serving the town’s French-Canadian Catholic community, worth a visit for those tracing the region’s settler Catholic heritage.
Martyrs’ Shrine Papal Altar & Outdoor Chapels
Beyond the main basilica, the Shrine grounds hold several smaller devotional chapels and the open-air altar built for the 1984 papal Mass.
Huronia Museum & Huron Ouendat Village
Not a Catholic site itself, but essential historical context for understanding the Wendat community the missionaries lived among.
Suggested Pilgrimage Itineraries
Half Day
Major highlights
- Martyrs’ Shrine — attend or visit for Mass, walk the outdoor Stations of the Cross.
- Shrine reliquary & chapel — venerate the relics of the Canadian Martyrs.
1 Day
Main pilgrimage sites
- Morning: Mass and prayer at Martyrs’ Shrine.
- Midday: Tour Sainte-Marie among the Hurons and its martyrs’ chapel.
- Afternoon: Short visit to St. Ignace II martyrdom site.
2 Days
Main sites + surrounding pilgrim sites
- Day 1: Martyrs’ Shrine (Mass, relics, Stations of the Cross) and Sainte-Marie among the Hurons.
- Day 2 morning: Walk or drive to St. Ignace II via the former rail trail.
- Day 2 afternoon: Ferry to Christian Island for Sainte-Marie II, or visit Notre-Dame de Sainte-Croix Parish and the Huronia Museum for added context.
Hours, Mass times, and seasonal access vary — confirm current details with Martyrs’ Shrine and Sainte-Marie among the Hurons before your visit.