MEDIA ADVISORY: Local pilgrims gathering at The Martyrs' Shrine, Midland to mark the Sainthood of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha

TORONTO, Oct. 19, 2012 /CNW/ - Huge crowds are expected to gather at The Martyrs' Shrine this Sunday to celebrate the canonization of North America's first aboriginal female saint.

Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, a Mohawk-Algonquin woman who lived in the late 17^th century, will be among seven holy women and men elevated to sainthood in a ceremony in Rome on October 21. Established to commemorate the earliest days of the Catholic faith in New France shared by the Jesuits among Canada's First Peoples, The Martyrs' Shrine continues to serve the pastoral needs of the local First Nations Catholic community on Christian Island. There has been a longstanding history of devotion to Blessed Kateri at the Shrine, with four existing statues on the grounds, erected by Catholics committed to "The Lily of the Mohawks."

Celebrations will begin at 11 a.m. with a procession of the relics and a statue of St. Kateri - a new garden on the 75-acre property will be designated in her honour. A Mass will be held at noon. Blessing with the relics of Kateri and refreshments will follow. A media presentation from the Mass of Canonization in Rome (earlier that day) will be shown at the Papal Altar. Celebrations incorporating First Nations singers and drummers will be a part of the day's events.

The following is a list of events, possible media opportunities and resources available for local media outlets for Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Saturday, October 20
ROME - Media availability for Canadian pilgrims, Cardinal Thomas Collins    
- 11 a.m.-2 p.m. ET
2 p.m. ET - Basilica of Saint John Lateran, Prayer Vigil, including presentation of Canada's Salt + Light Catholic Television documentary, "In Her Footsteps: The Story of Kateri Tekakwitha"

Sunday, October 21
ROME - Media availability for Canadian pilgrims, Cardinal Thomas Collins
- 9 a.m.-3 p.m. ET
3:30 a.m. ET - Saint Peter's Square, The Canonization Mass

MIDLAND, ON - Martyrs' Shrine  
11a.m. - procession through grounds
noon - Mass of Thanksgiving, followed by media presentation from Rome

Monday, October 22
ROME - Basilica of Saint John Lateran
4 a.m. ET - The Mass of Thanksgiving

SALT+LIGHT TELEVISION - The canonization Mass will air live on Sunday, October 21 at 3:30 a.m. ET, 1:30 a.m. PT. It will repeat at 10 a.m. ET, 8 a.m. PT and 9 p.m. ET, 6 p.m. PT.

The documentary, In Her Footsteps: The Story of Kateri Tekakwitha, will make its World Television Premiere at that same day at 8 p.m. ET, 9 p.m. PT only on Salt + Light.

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MEDIA FEED:

Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation has included on the TOC Pegad Spreadsheet the next two events:
Sunday October 21 from 3:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. Toronto time "Canonization Mass of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha" at Saint Peter's Square Rome

Monday October 22 from 4:00 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. Toronto time "Thanksgiving Mass for Saint Kateri Tekakwitha"
From Saint John Lateran, English Commentary for this event will be carried on location by Fr. Thomas Rosica, CEO of Salt and Light Television
The signal for both events will be analog SD 16-9
The Source at TOC: Salt and Light TX circuit 146 Salt and Light TXNOVFXS2257200

For additional technical information: Javier Capella
Technical Operations Manager at Salt and Light Television
Cell: 416-832-7526 email: [email protected]

FOR BACKGROUND INFORMATION and RESOURCES:
www.archtoronto.org/kateri

FOR NEWS AND UPDATES, INCLUDING COVERAGE FROM ROME:

Blog - archdioceseoftoronto.blogspot.com
Twitter - twitter.com/neilmaccarthy
twitter.com/archtoronto
Facebook - facebook.com/archtoronto
Tumblr - archtoronto.tumblr.com

SOURCE: Archdiocese of Toronto

Bill Steinburg, Archdiocese of Toronto
[phone] x 558 [phone] (cell)
[email protected]  www.archtoronto.org

Erica Zlomislic, Communications Officer
Jesuits in English Canada
[phone] x 225 [phone] (cell)
[email protected] www.jesuits.ca