They are known as the North American Martyrs, 8 men (6 Jesuit priests, 2 laymen) who were killed because of their faith. Today is their feast day.
 
By the time Fridays rolled around, I think that our teacher got tired of teaching us 40 kids. Friday afternoons were filled with activities like cleaning out our desk, practicing our penmanship, art or music, washing the blackboard, and if you were really lucky you got chosen to go and clap the erasers outside, but never on the side of the building, or on each other’s backs! Filled with chalk dust you would come back to the classroom and the hear stories of the saints. One week was a nice saint for the girls to hear, the next week were stories of the martyrs. I think Sister had a special love for the North American Saints. She would tell the story of these saints often enough. I thought that I knew them personally.
 
In the 17th century and much of the 18th century, France and England were continuously battling over the possession of Canada, known then as “New France.” The French missionaries wanted to bring the Gospel to the native peoples of the New World. The French Jesuit priests St. Isaac Jogues (1607-1646) and St. John de Brebeuf (1593-1649) and their companions St. John de Lalande, St. René Goupil, St. Anthony Daniel, St. Charles Garnier, St. Gabriel Lalemant, and St. Noel Chabanel were among the first missionaries to the North American Indians, and were the first martyrs of North America. They served missions in remote areas of eastern Canada and New York State between 1625-1649.
 
Many people warned the group of men of the dangers that lay ahead. It was an extremely hostile environment none could fathom what the situation was actually like: disease, severe weather, lack of food, unsanitary living conditions, impassable forests, solitude, and a hostile population. Travel was by canoe on treacherous waterways or walking for miles through dense, insect-filled and uncharted forests. On top of those circumstances was the war between the Iroquois and the Huron Native Americans. The Iroquois hated both the Hurons and the French. The French were trade partners with the Hurons and sided with them against the Iroquois (a nation of 5 tribes), their longtime enemies. Making matters worse, in 1613 the early French explorers had used muskets against the Iroquois’ bow and arrows, slaughtering many of them.
 
Despite the anticipated hardships, the Jesuits sought out and even begged for missionary duties in North America. In many ways they were successful in spreading the gospel. As the Hurons dispersed, they brought the faith with them. In 10 short years after their deaths, a young Mohawk girl would later become a saint, and is pictured in one of our windows, St. Kateri Tekawitha—a direct result of these brave men.
 
In the beautiful Mohawk Valley of Upstate New York is the hamlet of Auriesville, the home of one of the most sacred sites in North America. The Shrine of Our Lady of the Martyrs, is the site of the martyrdom of St. Rene Goupil, St. Isaac Jogues and St. John de Lalande and also the birthplace of St. Kateri.
 
Perhaps the more famous of these saints is St. Isaac Jogues (1607–1647), ordained a Jesuit priest in 1636.  Fr. Jogues would volunteer for the missions in New France, eventually traveling extensively in what was to become New York State. Fr. Jogues was captured and suffered in captivity for a year before he was able to escape with the help of the Dutch from Manhattan. After returning to France, accounts of his suffering, harrowing escape and missionary travels made him something of a celebrity. Although he could have continued to live comfortably in France teaching, Fr. Jogues’ love for the Native Americans drove him to request reassignment to New France, which was granted. Unfortunately, his second stint in the New World was short-lived, as he was once again captured and returned to the site of his imprisonment and finally martyred.
 
The story of the North American Martyrs is one of adventure, heroism, and a deep love for Christ and His Church. I encourage you to read their lives and adventures. We can learn much from their zeal and courage. If you ever get the chance, go and visit the Shrine. 
 
 

St. Isaac Jogues and Companions, pray for us and the Church in New York State. Amen