An open house and blessing of the new Baraga Educational Center will be a highlight of the annual Baraga Days this year.
Bishop John F. Doerfler will offer the blessing at 3 p.m. on Aug. 18. The center is located in what was formerly-known as the Baraga House, the house in Marquette that Bishop Frederic Baraga lived in from 1866 until his death on Jan. 19, 1868. Tours of the home were previously restricted to the room in which he died. However, extensive work has allowed the whole home to be opened up with exhibits, an area for research and offices of the Baraga Association.
The annual Baraga Days, celebrating the life of Venerable Bishop Baraga, will be held in Marquette on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 18-19, 2018. Along with the open house, showings of a documentary that premiered this year, “They Might Be Saints: Bishop Frederic Baraga” and a Native American drum circle will be featured at the two-day event.
Events will take place at the Baraga Educational Center, located at 615 S. Fourth St., as well as St. Peter Cathedral in Marquette and St. Louis the King Church in Harvey. Those interested in attending should RSVP as soon as possible. Meals will be available for those who have reserved tickets in advance. To RSVP and reserve meal tickets, visit www.dioceseofmarquette.org/bishopbaragaassociation and click on “Baraga Days.”
Known as the Snowshoe Priest for traveling widely throughout the Upper Peninsula, as well as Lower Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota by foot in the winters, Venerable Baraga began his life in a castle in Slovenia. He was trained in law at the University of Vienna and was fluent in several languages. He came to the New World on Dec. 31, 1830 to begin his life as a missionary priest in the Great Lakes region. He wrote seven Slovenian prayer books and authored 20 Native American books, including “Grammar and Dictionary of the Chippewa Language,” which is still in use today. He was consecrated bishop on Nov. 1, 1853 and led the new Upper Peninsula diocese from Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. until 1866, when he moved the “see” to Marquette.
Baraga Days is celebrated every other year in Marquette. In alternating years, it is celebrated in the various cities in the Great Lakes area in which he ministered.
Schedule of Events
Saturday, August 18th
Location: St. Peter Cathedral (311 W Baraga Ave, Marquette, Mich.)
7:30-9 a.m. Check-in/hospitality bag pick up
8 a.m. Mass
9-10 a.m. Presentation: Overview of the Canonization Process
10:30-11 a.m. Showing of: “They Might Be Saints: Bishop Frederic Baraga” documentary – Media Room
11 a.m. to noon Private veneration of the Baraga stole – in the Baraga Chapel
Rosary and Confession
St. Peter Cathedral will not be open from 12:30-5 p.m.
Location: St. Louis the King (264 Silver Creek Rd., Marquette, Mich.)
12:30-1:30 p.m. Ticketed Box Lunch or bring your own
1:30-2:30pm Native American Drum Circle and Teaching
Location: Bishop Baraga Educational Center (615 S. 4th St., Marquette, Mich.)
3 p.m. Blessing of the Baraga Educational Center by Most Rev. John F. Doerfler, Bishop of Marquette
Location: St. Peter Cathedral (311 W Baraga Ave, Marquette, Mich.)
6 p.m. Slovenian Mass
8 p.m. Ticketed Dinner catered by Mama Russo’s
Entertainment: TBA
Sunday, August 19th
Location: St. Peter Cathedral (311 W Baraga Ave, Marquette, Mich.)
7-9 a.m. Ticketed Breakfast
8-8:30 a.m. Showing of: They Might Be Saints: Bishop Frederic Baraga documentary – Media Room
9-10 a.m. Annual BBA Meeting – Parish Hall
10:30 a.m. English Mass – Principal Celebrant Most Rev. John F. Doerfler, Bishop of Marquette
To RSVP go to http://www.dioceseofmarquette.org/bishopbaragaassociation/baragadays
