In the final episode of "The Marian Route to USA 250: One Nation Under God's Mercy," Fr. Mark Baron, MIC, tells the story of Fr. Jacques Marquette, a 17th-century French Jesuit priest whose profound Marian devotion shaped the exploration of the American heartland.

On June 17, 1673, driven by a vow to the Blessed Virgin Mary and a desire to bring the gospel to indigenous souls, Marquette entered the Mississippi River. Fulfilling his promise, he named the vital waterway the Rivière de la Conception (River of the Immaculate Conception).

Explore how Marquette's spiritual journey and geographic discovery mapped out a corridor of faith that would eventually pave the way for the future expansion of the United States.

In this series, "A Marian Route to America," as the nation celebrates its 250th birthday, we invite you to explore the forgotten spiritual and providential forces from a Marian lens, that helped form the United States of America. Join us as we begin a journey tracing the English, Spanish, and French Catholic stories to discover how America grew not just under God, but under Mary's mantle.