Nosse (Father) Baraga
(1797-1868)
Father Baraga arrived in the United States to work with the Native populations on December 31, 1830, only a few months after the creation of the Indian Removal Act. This law, enacted by the United States government, would force thousands of indigenous people away from the lands they called home into a foreign land west of the Mississippi River. Many would later come to know this forced relocation as the Trail of Tears.
The land on which Father Baraga worked with the Ojibwe and Ottawa was at that time in a region where there was no treaty. During his tenure their ability to stay on their lands was always in jeopardy given it was still east of the Mississippi. Baraga would work with them during one of their times of greatest struggle against the pressures of the United States government as they sought to stay on their homeland. After 24 years of perseverance, and with Father Baraga's help, in the year of 1854 the Ojibwe were finally able to win their rights to their homeland.
Father Baraga was consecrated Bishop on November 1, 1853, becoming the first Bishop of the Diocese of Marquette. This took place just one year before the Ojibwe solidified this incredibly important treaty. Baraga passed on January 19, 1868. Up to his last days, although he worked with many different people in his region, he always made himself known as 'primarily an Indian missionary'. His Eulogy filled several pages of the L.S. Mining Journal upon his passing due to his notoriety by all in the region.
Father Baraga left a legacy of care and concern for all to follow. Confirming over 1,000 persons into the Catholic Faith he became known as the snowshoe priest due to his ability to travel hundreds of miles by snowshoe to be there for another when they were in need. Learn more about this incredible missionary below and the Ojibwe and Ottawa Natives whom he served.
Intercessions
Baraga's Mini Miracle
To the left you will see two pictures of the same rose. If you look at the one above, you will see that it is night. If you look at the one below, you will see that it is day. The rose on the left is a close up of the rose itself...one week after the rose was left outside on the shores of Lake Superior.
I asked for an intercession…and I got what I asked for…but not in the way that I expected it to be...
Popular Page
Plan Your Pilgrimage
The picture shows a rainbow behind Father Baraga's Cross located in Schroeder, MN which signifies hope for the future. This picture was taken by the author.
As of January of 2025 the plan your pilgrimage page has been completely updated! Please feel free to stop by to see the latest updates which include a description pop-up when you click on the site, new icons that show you the site type, and driving directions which can be found with a link on the upper right hand side of the pop-up description. It was all created to be able to have the plan your pilgrimage page become more user friendly on the mobile and desktop versions. Feel free to explore!
Research Guru
Father Baraga's Timeline
This is a page that I use as a reference often. This page shows the comparison between what was happening with Father Baraga and what was taking place with the Ojibwe on the right. It builds a context to his missions by seeing directly what the Ojibwe were going through during his missions and the milestones that he made along the way.
Popular Page
Books Written by Father Baraga
This picture is from the authors personal collection of Father Baraga's books
This popular page shows a list of Father Baraga's books that he wrote with the help of the Ojibwe. In addition to creating the number of missions that he created, Father Baraga wrote an extensive amount of books in addition to the largest Ojibwe dictionary ever written. Click on the link below to see these books, be taken to their original place where they were published and to learn about the books themselves.
Research Guru
The University of Notre Dame
This picture is of Notre Dame where many of Father Baraga's records are held.
This page is not for the faint of heart. This is a list obtained from the Notre Dame Archive which lists letters written to and from Father Baraga. If you are interested in obtaining any of these, an email can be written to the University of Notre Dame (email address is listed on this page) to find out what was happening with Father Baraga during this his time in the United States. Please click on the link below to learn more.
New Release
About the Author
This picture is the Author at Father Baraga's Cross in the year 2022, two years after her initial visit.
Many may wonder why I do this work. What is my motivation? Many are surprised when they find out I was not raised Catholic and I am not Native. They wonder what reason would there be for me to create an entire website about a Catholic Priest named Father Baraga and his connection to the Ojibwe Natives? Learn about how much this work means to me and my reasons for pursuing it. You'll be surprised when you find out the incredible miracles behind this journey.