Memorial of Sts. John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, Priests, and Companions, Martyrs

Today's Mass Readings

You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation. Is. 12

How can we really describe martyrdom? We can witness to Christ by choosing to live in holiness every day. True martyrdom is something that all people would be afraid of. Giving up one’s life for the gospel is the highest sacrifice that one can commit.

This is exactly what Sts. John Brebuef and Isaac Joques did. They came to North America as Jesuit missionaries. They wanted to spread the gospel to the Native people living in present-day Canada and the Northeastern United States. John Brebuef came into contact with the Huron people. He lived among them and learned their language. Isaac Joques also ministered to the Huron. When disease broke out among the colonists and the Huron, the colonists were blamed by the native people. Joques worked to negotiate between both parties in order to keep peace. In 1642 he and some native converts were attacked by members of the Mohawk Nation. They were captured, and while he was in captivity, his fingers were amputated. Once he escaped, Joques left the Americas for a time. Then he returned to complete the mission he had started. This saint could have given up and left in anger. He returned to his mission field just as St. Patrick had and St. Paul the Apostle centuries before. Isaac Joques became a martyr in 1646, and John de Brebuef followed in 1649. We give thanks for the witness of these companions, who had drawn life “from the springs of salvation.” Amen.

Reflection by Br. Matthew Marie, OSB