L'Anse in Baraga County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Storm On Lake Superior
Bishop Baraga Shrine
Photographed by J. J. Prats, August 3, 2024
1. Storm On Lake Superior Marker
Inscription.
Storm On Lake Superior. . Another time Father Baraga decided to go from LaPointe to Grand Portage. Instead of traveling the shorelines, he rationalized that straight voyage across the lake from Sand Island would save 80 to 100 miles as well as a months travel time. So, he and his Indian guide, Louis, sailed in a small, 18-foot fishing boat. When they reached the half point, a gale arose and the rough waters tossed the boat wildly. The Indian exclaimed, Father we are surely going to perish! But Baraga remained unperturbed, lying back in the boat, reciting his breviary. His reply was, Dont worry, Louis. The priest will not die in the water. If he died in the water, the people on the other shore where we are going would be unfortunate. , Miraculously, when the Indian was told to steer straight ahead, the tiny boat passed through the breakers into a calm inlet, at the time unnamed. In gratitude for their safe delivery, they erected a cross on the spot and named the stream Cross-River.
Another time Father Baraga decided to go from LaPointe to
Grand Portage. Instead of traveling the shorelines, he rationalized
that straight voyage across the lake from Sand Island would save
80 to 100 miles as well as a months travel time. So, he and his
Indian guide, Louis, sailed in a small, 18-foot fishing boat. When
they reached the half point, a gale arose and the rough waters
tossed the boat wildly. The Indian exclaimed, Father we are
surely going to perish! But Baraga remained unperturbed, lying
back in the boat, reciting his breviary. His reply was, Dont
worry, Louis. The priest will not die in the water. If he died in the
water, the people on the other shore where we are going would be
unfortunate.
Miraculously, when the Indian was told to steer straight ahead,
the tiny boat passed through the breakers into a calm inlet, at the
time unnamed. In gratitude for their safe delivery, they erected a
cross on the spot and named the stream Cross-River.
Location. 46° 44.952′ N, 88° 28.418′ W. Marker is in L'Anse, Michigan, in Baraga County. It can be reached from Lambert Road south
Click or scan to see this page online
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 shrines 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 Superiors 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.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2024, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,125 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on September 1, 2024, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
