A Trek Along This Connecticut Trail Is A Great Way to Honor The Irish Martyrs of the Catholic Church
A surefire way to become a saint is to die defending your faith, and today we are honoring a group that did just that: the Irish martyrs:
The Irish Martyrs refer to a group of men and women who were persecuted and killed for their Catholic faith during the 16th and 17th centuries, a time when practicing Catholicism in Ireland was outlawed under English rule. These individuals included priests, bishops, laypeople, and religious who refused to renounce their faith, celebrate Protestant services, or deny the pope's authority.
Though thousands suffered and died during this period, 17 of them were officially beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1992, and their feast day is celebrated on June 20th. They are remembered for their courage, steadfastness, and loyalty to the Church during one of the darkest periods in Irish Catholic history.
In honor of these brave and faithful men and women, we invite you to make a pilgrimage in their honor along the Connecticut Irish-American Heritage Trail:
Maintained by the Connecticut Irish-American Historical Society, the Heritage Trail pays homage to the "profound impact on Connecticut's past, and its narrative spans all periods of the state's history and touches every one of its eight counties and 169 towns" via monuments, events, and buildings both secular and religious.
In terms of the latter, there is no shortage of religious places to visit, including dozens of Catholic churches, museums, rectories, and more.
Where will you begin? The Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center in New Haven?
St. Patrick's Church in Waterbury?
Or how about Father William Dunn Rectory and Chapel? Whatever you decide, there is no wrong answer!
For a complete list of stops - both religious and secular - along the Connecticut Irish-American Heritage Trail, please visit their website.