L'Anse in Baraga County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Unum Est Necessarium

— Bishop Baraga Shrine —

Photographed by J. J. Prats, August 3, 2024

1. Unum Est Necessarium Interpretive Sign

Inscription. Frederic Baraga was consecrated the first Bishop of the diocese of Sault Ste. Marie (moved and renamed in 1866 as the diocese of Marquette) on November 1, 1853. In his first pastoral letter, he stressed the principal and sacred duties to be observed by all in their worship of God. These duties he enumerated as Faith, Adoration, Respect, Obedience, and Love. Each of these he explained in patient detail so that none would misunderstand his duties in serving the Lord, and could draw closer to the Lord through daily observance of them. In this episcopal letter written in both English and Ojibway, Barags stressed the importance of total love of God. His loving compassion and sincere self for the salvation of souls is evident in each line

“Un Est Necessarium” was the motto Bishop Baraga chose for his coat of arms as the first Bishop of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Translated it means “One Thing is Necessary,” that we love and serve God well, and so make happy our souls. This was Baraga’s way of life.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities

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• Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is November 1, 1853.

Location. 46° 44.958′ N, 88° 28.414′ W. Marker is in L'Anse, Michigan, in Baraga County. It can be reached from Lambert Road south of U.S. 41. The shrine is no longer accessible directly from U.S. 41. It is well signed. Turn south on Lambert Road and follow it across the railroad tracks and to the right around the curve to the shrine’s parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 17572 US-41, Lanse MI 49946, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

and in Copper Country.

It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and on Lake Superior’s South Shore Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Great North Woods,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Departure from Metlika (here, next to this marker); Celebration of Holy Mass (here, next to this

<i>Unum Est Necessarium</i> Historical Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, August 3, 2024

2. Unum Est Necessarium Historical Marker

This interpretive sign on the left of this photograph.

marker); The Snowshoe Priest (here, next to this marker); Arrival at LaPointe (here, next to this marker); Storm On Lake Superior (a few steps from this marker); L’Anse-Lac Vieux Desert Trail (a few steps from this marker); Dog Sled Episode (within shouting distance of this marker); Adrift on Ice Floe (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in L'Anse.

Coat of arms of the Slovenian bishop Frederic Baraga, Bishop of Sault Sainte Marie and Marquette image. Click for full size.

Digital image by SajoR (CC BY-SA 2.0) via Wikimedia Commons

3. Coat of arms of the Slovenian bishop Frederic Baraga, Bishop of Sault Sainte Marie and Marquette

Credits. This page was last revised on August 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 30, 2024, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,421 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 30, 2024, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 2. submitted on August 29, 2024, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 3. submitted on August 30, 2024, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.