Father Baraga was a Catholic Missionary who lived and worked with the Ojibwe Natives from 1831 to 1868 in the regions of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan. He became Bishop in the year of 1863. He was known for his zeal and compassion for the Ojibwe during a time when they were being pressured for removal, when the fur traders were working against them and when settlers were pressing in on their regions.
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 Natives whom he served.
Nosse (Father) Baraga
(1797-1868)
Father Baraga has gone international!
On "All Saints Day" (November 1, 2025) Father Baraga has officially gone international! This website now has the ability to be changed from English to Slovenian, Spanish (Mexico) or French (Canada)! This toggle can be found above and to the right of "follow this site".
Thank you to all of our international friends who have continued these efforts of reconciliation! We are grateful for you and all the work that you have done! This site works to continue this journey with you...side by side.
All Children Matter
September 30 is the annual Orange Shirt Day which remembers the histories of the boarding schools and is worn on this day to recognized Truth and Reconciliation.
The boarding school legacy began only one year after Father Baraga's passing. If Father Baraga were around during the time of the boarding schools he would have advocated on behalf of the Native populations to ensure their welfare.
This orange shirt shows your support for Truth & Healing which speaks about how to share awareness and create healing for what transpired with the Native populations. Please also feel free to donate to help the Native populations with what transpired during the boarding schools and advocate for the survival of their cultures and language
This picture was taken at Father Baraga's Cross in Schroeder, MN.
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.
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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.