For the first time in history, the major relics of the Canadian Martyrs—including the skull of St. Jean de Brébeuf and bones of St. Charles Garnier and St. Gabriel Lalemant—are traveling across Canada.
These relics, which have been housed at the National Shrine to the Canadian Martyrs in Midland, Ont., are embarking on a nationwide tour to offer Canadians a chance to venerate them and seek spiritual graces during tjhe Jubilee Year 2025. The faithful can receive the Jubilee Indulgence by participating in the Relic Tour when it comes to Edmonton
Joining the relics of the Canadian Martyrs is the relic of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, the first Indigenous North American saint, canonized in 2012. St. Kateri holds a special place in the hearts of First Nations communities, and her presence emphasizes the tour’s focus on healing and reconciliation.
The relics will be in the Archdiocese of Edmonton on Jan. 22. See the event link for the schedule. The faithful can receive the Jubilee Indulgence by participating in the Relic Tour when it comes to Edmonton
The tour’s first location will be Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples, the national Indigenous parish in the Archdiocese of Edmonton, with Mass and Receiving of the Relics from 9-9:30 a.m. and veneration and a healing service from 9:30 to noon.
Corpus Christi Parish will be the second location, with veneration of the relics from 2-8 p.m. Mass will be celebrated from 5:30-6 p.m. followed by a short talk on Encountering the Canadian Martyrs by Fr. John O’Brien, director and Jesuit Superior of the Martyrs’ Shrine.
The tour began in late December 2024, starting in Western Canada. It will continue through Eastern Canada in the fall of 2025. The purpose of the tour is to bring these sacred relics closer to Canadians who may not have the opportunity to visit the Martyrs’ Shrine, offering moments of grace, prayer, and healing for individuals, families, and communities.
The relics tour offers opportunities for personal prayer and reflection. Attendees are encouraged to bring written prayer intentions, which will be taken back to the Martyrs’ Shrine. Holy cards, rosaries, and medals can also be pressed to the reliquaries to create spiritual keepsakes.The presence of the relics from both the Canadian Martyrs and St. Kateri Tekakwitha served as a reminder of this shared history, inspiring hope for ongoing reconciliation efforts.
As the relics continue their journey across Canada, they invite all people—Catholic and non-Catholic alike—to experience moments of grace and reconciliation. Whether through prayer, reflection, or learning about the history of the saints, this tour offers a unique chance to connect with Canada’s spiritual heritage.