The last day of our trip we drove to the Shrine of Our Lady of Matyrs. The weather did not cooperate. It was chilly, cloudy and windy. I wasnt feeling so great so the first thing we did was look for a rest room. We walked through the circular church looking for another door to the outside. We found the door and walked back into the chilly outdoors. Thankfully the rest room was easy to spot. We werent sure where to start explore so we started outside. There are a few small shrines outside as well as prayer chapels. We quickly viewed Theresa’s Rosary, the Our Lady of Fatima monument, and a Memorial to the Unborn.Then we ran back into the Coliseum Church. We walked around looking at the different statues. There were several saints we have never heard of. I snapped a few pictures of them so that we could make sure to study them in the coming school year. As we were walking closer to the Altar we noticed there were people sitting in the pews. It was time for Mass. I thought after the day before I really needed Mass. The kids did their best to pay attention as did I. It’s hard to do in a new place. It was a short and sweet Mass. No music, only singing and a short homily. It’s nice to have a reminder that God does hear our prayers. The kids had started to bug me the night before.
After Mass we headed over to the Welcome Center and Museum. There were some interesting artifacts to look at. I didn’t have much of an opportunity to look as I was too paranoid the boys would break something. Then we wandered into the gift shop. I really do love any chance I have to buy lots of Catholic stuff. Jem spent some of her birthday money to buy each older sibling. She really is pretty charitable. Pippi has been known to do the same thing as well. I bought the kids a few books, George a St. Kateri prayer card and a few more window decals. Soon we prepared ourselves to walk back outside. Before we left we had to as least visit the Ravine. Again before heading into the Ravine it was chilly and very windy. We started walking down the path reading each plague as we headed done into the Ravine. If you have never heard of St. Rene Goupil he is a man worth learning about. His Faith is inspiring. He was a Jesuit missionary who was tortured and killed by the Iroquois for teaching the children the Sign of the Cross. Once we were in the Ravine it was so serene. It was my favorite part of our trip. Not only was it beautiful, no wind, warm and sunny but I realized the Ravine itself is in the shape of a heart. I sat on the Matyrs bridge and looked out on the Ravine to see the same of a heart. It made me feel so blessed to know Our Blessed Mother and Our Lord really are in that place. Every time I think about it I can’t help but feel at peace. Saint Rene Goupil, Pray for us! The grounds are massive and if you have the time you really should visit every bit of it. I wish I could go back and visit soon but that is very unlikely unless we move closer.
A few miles up the road was the Shrine of St. Kateri. We decided to make a quick stop since the 2 little ones were really ready for a nap. The Museum is a collection mostly put together by Father Thomas Grassmann. It includes alot of different Native American artifacts as well as some art work depicting St. Kateri. We did a quick walk-through of the museum before heading back to the car. I really wasn’t feeling well and neither was George so we decided to cut our trip short. Our last stop before home was a playground. The kids ran around for a bit before settling in for the long ride home. I am glad we had the opportunity to visit both Shrines as well as the rest of our trip but I was glad to get home. I think the kids were happy to sleep in their own beds and play with their own toys. Hopefully our trip to Disney World in the fall will go just as well.
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