The Hill of Torture & Theresa’s Rosary

From my trip in July, working in Palatine Bridge, NY. A day after going to the National Saint Kateri Shrine, I headed over to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs (also known as the National Shrine of the North American Martyrs). It’s located pretty much across the river from Fonda, in Auriesville. It’s also the birthplace of Saint Kateri.

But this little snippet of an entry is just a feature on one of my favorite parts of the Shrine. The Shrine is HUGE – it sits on more than 400 acres.

Theresa’s Rosary

Story behind the rosary.

On the Hill of Torture, where around 1640, Father Issac Jogues, Rene Goupil, and John Lalande were put to torturous death for the Catholic faith by the Mohawks.

As the post states (photo shown above), Theresa was 13 years old from Canada. Studying the Catholic faith, was taken captive by the Mohawks and chased up the Hill of Torture. She made a rosary of stones, which may have been the first rosary in New York State, September 29, 1642.

I did a rush walking tour of the grounds. I sadly did not get to visit the ravine, where Saint Rene Goupil was found dead;  as well as explore the entirety of shrine. I hope to return one someday soon.

Visit the Shrine of the North American Martyrs/Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs:
136 Shrine Road
Fultonville, NY 12072
(518) 853-3033

National Shrine of Saint Kateri

This entry is LONG overdue. I started this entry back in July. I have gone on other explorations, so please bear with me while I try to catch up with posting. It’s mostly the sheer number of photos I take and narrowing them down, and researching that takes up time (aside from the long hours at work!). But thank you for visiting my website and reading my entries. I hope you enjoy them as I enjoyed visiting these places.

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha was born around the mid-1600’s in Auriesville, NY (location of what is now the Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs, which is beautiful – and will be a topic of a future entry). She survived small pox as a child, left with impaired vision (hence her last name, Tekakwitha, which means “she who bump into things”) and scarring; taken in by her uncle and aunt and moved into the Mohawk Indian Village (where the National Kateri Shrine now stands). She was baptized in the Roman Catholic faith as Catherine Tekakwitha and was also known as the Lily of the Mohawks. She lived in the small village where the Shrine of Saint Kateri is now located until she was 18. She moved to the Mission of Saint Francis Xavier, in Canada because of ridicule, accusations and death threats for taking on the Christian life. She took a vow of poverty and virginity until her death, at the age of 24.

She was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1980 and canonized by Pope Benedict XVI on October 21, 2012.

Off of Route 5 in Fonda, NY

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At the entrance.

A rosary and statue for Saint Kateri.

Holy grounds, featuring the Stations of the Cross.

A statue of Saint Kateri and her last words, “Jesus, I love you!”

The Pavillion

beautiful words

The Blessed Virgin Mary

As you make your way up the hill to the top of the grounds, these scriptures are perfect for the woodland and country side scenery.

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Past the trees would be the Mohawk River and the town of Fultonville.

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Stations of the Cross.

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The sound is amazing in the pavillion, even though it’s outdoors and open on three sides. The officiant would have no problem being heard, I think.

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The altar.

This trek was a little bit deceiving. I had hiked the road and you end up facing a paved road and three boulders. I hiked over to my right, and ended up facing a marked, HUGE, ancient oak tree. On my left was a brook. What I had found out much later, driving around town, was that had I crossed the paved road, I would have come across the dig and the spring. It’s much easier to drive there.

The path I walked.

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Leaves, nature’s canopy.

It was such a serene, quiet walk. Probably really creepy at night – possibly even haunted!

The Candle Chapel.

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An altar to Saint Kateri, with offerings, gifts and prayers.

bracelets, charms, coins, rosaries, and other personal trinkets in exchange for prayers and healing.

When I arrived at the native village archaeological dig site and spring.

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Caughnawaga Castle site. Discovered in 1950. It’s the only completely excavated Iroquis village in the country and historical site. The land is marked by different colored stakes, showing outlines for stockades and longhouses.

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Visit the National Kateri Shrine:
3628 State Highway 5,Fonda, NY 12068
(518) 853-3646

Fort Klock

While working in Palatine Bridge, I found some time to visit Fort Klock. It’s located in Johnsville, right on Route 5.

The farmhouse was built around the mid-1700’s by Johannes Klock. The farmhouse served as a fort in both the French and Indian War and Revolutionary War. The fort was also the sight of one of the last skirmishes of the Revolutionary War on October 19, 1780; known as the Battle of Klock’s Field (also referred as “The Great Raid”).

On the land stands the barn, a blacksmith house, a schoolhouse, and a cheese house.

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The barn is featured in the background.

“The stone dwelling 500 feet south was built by Johannis Klock in 1750, and was used as a fort and place of refuge during the Revolutionary War. The ‘Battle of Klock’s Field’ was fought here to the west.”

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The landscape view past Fort Klock.

The quaint one-room schoolhouse.

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I couldn’t gain entrance inside, but I believe it’s permanently shut to keep everything that is original in tact.

Where the Battle of Klock’s Field had taken place.

Walking to the blacksmith house, which is at the top right corner of the photo.

This rolling creek (or a mini river as it had rained heavily the previous day) leads to the Mohawk River.

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The Klock Barn

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The Cheese House. Once used for making cheese, is now the caretaker’s home. No access inside.

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Dining area of the home which features Klock’s family crest on the mantle.

The bedroom loft on the second floor. There is no fireplace on this floor, so imagine how cold and dark it gets during winter…

I’m upset this picture came out blurry, but this is the caretaker of Fort Klock, making a towel. The machine he is using is the original weaving machine from Klock’s era. It is a gigantic machine made of wood, rope and leather.

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