Saints Isaac Jogues and Companions

Martyrs of North America
(died 1642–1649)

Saints Isaac Jogues, John de Brébeuf, and their six Jesuit companions, canonised together as the North American Martyrs, gave their lives in the mission to the indigenous peoples of what is now Canada and the United States between 1642 and 1649. They represent the most dramatic and costly episode of the Jesuit mission to North America, and their courage in the face of unimaginable suffering has made them among the most celebrated martyrs of the modern era.

Isaac Jogues was born in Orléans, France, in 1607 and arrived in New France in 1636. He worked among the Huron people for several years before being captured by the Iroquois in 1642. During his captivity he was subjected to terrible tortures: his fingers were cut off and his flesh gnawed by his captors. He managed to escape to New Amsterdam, now New York, and returned to France, where his mutilated hands moved the queen to tears. He returned to the New World and was martyred by the Iroquois in 1646 near present-day Auriesville, New York.

John de Brébeuf was a Norman Jesuit of remarkable physical strength and spiritual courage who worked among the Hurons for fifteen years, learning their language and customs with extraordinary thoroughness and baptising thousands. He was captured by the Iroquois in 1649 and subjected to a martyrdom of unspeakable cruelty that lasted for several hours, during which he continued to encourage his fellow Christians to endure to the end. His heart was eaten by his executioners in tribute to his extraordinary courage.

The eight martyrs were canonised by Pope Pius XI in 1930. They are the patron saints of Canada. Their feast is celebrated on October 19th.