Saturday, October 19, 2013

North American Martyrs - October 19

Here in the US, we celebrate today the feast of the North American Martyrs, Sts. Jean de Brebeuf, Isaac Jogues and their companions!

These brave Jesuit missionaries labored ceaselessly for the Native Americans of the northeastern US and southeastern Canada. Father Jogues, Apostle of the Mohawks, was known to that people as Ondessonk, “the indomitable one.” These holy saints were brutally tortured and martyred in the mid-17th century.

If you ever have the chance to visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs in Auriesville, New York, you can walk in the footsteps of Father Jogues, Rene Goupil and Jean de Lalande, on the ground made sacred by their blood. It is a journey well worth taking.