The North American Martyrs

The North American MartyrsEight Heroes of the Faith

The North American MartyrsWho were they?

Six Jesuit priests, two laymen (Goupil and de Lalande) Missionaries from France to North America

Primarily Canada and upstate New York First half of the 17th century Preached to the Iroquois and Huron Indians

Lived mostly with Hurons, who were generally peaceful Iroquois much more violent and cause of their martyrdom

Martyred between 1642-1649

The North American MartyrsConditions

Travel conditions

Language barrier

Living conditions in the New World

Superstition, promiscuity, war, cannibalism

Disease Being blamed for bringing disease

The North American Martyrs

First to be martyred (1642) Layman – not a priest;

companion of Jogues Killed for teaching young boy

the Sign of the Cross near Auriesville, NY

Buried by St. Isaac Jogues Only canonized saint-martyr

buried in United States

St. René Goupil

The North American Martyrs

Lived with Hurons; first apostle to the Iroquois

Tortured – fingers bitten off “It is unbefitting that a martyr of Christ

should not drink the blood of Christ” Reverently buried Goupil’s body Returned to North America even after

torture. Martyred by Mohawks in October 1646

near Auriesville, NY Beheaded and body thrown into river

St. Isaac Jogues

The North American Martyrs

Layman – not a priest Accompanied Jogues

after the death of Goupil Martyred along with

Jogues in October 1646 Beheaded and body

thrown into river

St. Jean de Lalande

The North American Martyrs

Close friends with de Brébeuf Village was attacked by Iroquois Confronted attackers with

crucifix, to give time for others to escape (July 1648)

Shot by musket ball and arrow Beheaded and flesh consumed

St. Antoine Daniel

The North American Martyrs

The first of the martyrs to travel to North America (1625)

Lived and worked with the Hurons Became accepted member of

tribe Attacked by Iroquois and viciously

tortured Martyred in 1649 while crying out

“Jesus, taiteur!” (“Jesus, have mercy on us!”)

St. Jean de Brébeuf

The North American Martyrs

Nephew of the former Superior of the Huron mission

Assistant to de Brébeuf Small and frail, but very

enthusiastic Tortured and martyred

shortly after de Brébeuf

St. Gabriel Lalemant

The North American Martyrs

Arrived with Jogues in 1636 Spent almost 14 years in the

missions Village attacked by Iroquois;

urged others to escape; gave absolution to his new converts

Downed by musket fire, then killed by tomahawk (1649)

St. Charles Garnier

The North American Martyrs

Worked closely with Garnier Struggled in the mission field:

couldn’t learn language, hated food, despised living conditions

Made vow before Blessed Sacrament to spend rest of life at the missions

Escaping village attack when caught by Mohawks

Apostate Huron attacked Chabanel, killing him and throwing his body into a river

St. Noël Chabanel

The North American MartyrsFruit of Martyrdom

“The blood of the martyrs is the seed of theChurch”

First Fruits: St. Kateri Tekakwitha

Lily of the Mohawks

Born 10 years after the martyrdom of St. Isaac Jogues in the same village

The North American MartyrsShrine

National Shrine of the North American Martyrs

Auriesville, NY

Only place in United States where canonized saints were martyred

Sacred Ground