Brotherhood in a Blizzard

Brotherhood in a Blizzard. . , Many of Baraga’s winter journeys were taken on snowshoes. This particular trip found him struggling through fierce, howling winds, deep snow, and bitter cold to reach his destination. Having traveled a great distance in the blinding storm, he became more and more weakened. At one point he was obliged to hang his backpack on a tree and struggle on further. Of the cold he later wrote, “the wind was so intensely cold it threatened to freeze the very blood in my veins.” After many hours of laborious effort, he reached a lodge. The Indians marveled at their “Blackrobe’s” determination to serve them in the name of Jesus. They welcomed him and cared for him lovingly. In the morning light, it was plainly visible that patches of skin from Baraga’s face peeled off because of his long exposure to the wintry blasts. , After that fearful walk, Baraga remarked, “these mission journeys are indeed very hard but also very fruitful for the honor of God, and the salvation of souls. Thanks be to God for all.”