Inspire Devotion

For nearly four centuries, devotion to the North American Martyrs has inspired generations of Catholics through pilgrimage, prayer and a profound witness of faith. As we journey toward the 2030 centenary of their canonization, Of Blood and Water seeks to renew that devotion while introducing a new generation to the remarkable witness of the Indigenous Apostles who embraced and shared the Gospel alongside them.

In 2025, Father John O'Brien, SJ, Director of Martyrs' Shrine in Midland, Ontario, embarked on a historic pilgrimage across Canada and into the USA with relics of Saints Jean de Brébeuf, Gabriel Lalemant and Charles Garnier, together with a relic of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha. Thousands of pilgrims had the opportunity to encounter these sacred relics, hear the stories of the Martyrs and discover the remarkable faith of Joseph Chiwatenhwa and other early Indigenous Christians. This journey became an important part of the inspiration and unfolding story of Of Blood and Water.

In 2026, the journey continued through the centennial celebrations at Martyrs' Shrine, the Feast Day celebrations, and our growing collaboration with the National Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs in Auriesville, New York, and the Anishinabe Spiritual Centre in Espanola, Ontario. Through these sacred places, the voices of contemporary Indigenous Catholics, and the living devotion of pilgrims, the film explores how the witness of the Martyrs and Indigenous Apostles continues to inspire faith today.

Looking ahead, we envision Of Blood and Water as more than a film series. Through renewed pilgrimages, opportunities for veneration of relics, parish and shrine screenings, and educational and devotional resources, we hope to inspire a new encounter with this extraordinary spiritual heritage — bringing the stories of the Martyrs and Indigenous Apostles to communities across North America and beyond.

At its heart, Of Blood and Water is also a pilgrimage of discovery — retracing the footsteps of those who lived, suffered and died for their faith, while encountering the people and communities who continue to carry their spiritual legacy today.