Marching to Martyrdom
Reflection on the Memorial of Sts John de Brebeuf, Isaac Jogues & Companions, Protomartyrs of North America, 19 Oct 2022
This coming Sunday we shall celebrate World Mission Sunday. Today therefore it is very fitting that we remember several Jesuit missionaries who left the comfort and security of their homeland in France and risked their lives to evangelize the native aborigines in North America. Although here in the Philippines we are not obliged to celebrate their commemoration in the liturgy, I personally feel drawn to honor them during the Mass since some of my siblings and friends are immigrants in Canada.
Isaac Jogues was a man of learning and culture, and was teaching literature in France when he heard God’s call to go to the missions. He gave up that career to work among the Huron Indians in the New World, and in 1636 arrived in Quebec together with other companions under the leadership of Jean de Brebeuf. They started working with the Huron (Hyur-aan) Indians and succeeded in converting many of them. But other tribes like the Iroquois (Ee-ruh-kwaa) who were at war with the Huron Indians came and captured him and his companions and put them to prison for thirteen months. There they were tortured and mutilated. By God’s grace however he was able to escape and return to France to a hero’s welcome. But his missionary zeal kept burning in his heart. A few years later Isaac sailed again for the same mission territory to continue what God has began through them. He dared even to evangelize the very people who captured and tortured him. But unfortunately on October 18, 1646 he was tomahawked and beheaded for Christ.
On his part John de Brebeuf went to the missions much earlier when he was only 32 years old. He worked hard as missionary in Canada for twenty-four (24) years and saw the conversion of 7,000 Huron Indians. He even wrote a catechism and composed a dictionary in Huron. Like Isaac Jogues he too had a chance to go back to France and just retire but his ardent missionary zeal brought him back to the mission land to complete the work God has entrusted to him. Later on, he too would be captured by the Iroquois and tortured before being put to death.
These two Jesuit missionaries together with other companion martyrs proved themselves to be Christ’s faithful witnesses. Empowered by the Spirit they bravely went out of the comfort of their homeland to preach the Gospel in a distant land, and with a burning heart, they courageously faced death for the love of God. And so, the Church recognized their remarkable holiness by having them canonized as saints in 1930. May this Eucharist continue to empower us in our faith, and keep our hearts ever burning with love even in these most trying times. May Sts Jean de Brebeuf, Isaac Jogues and companion martyrs pray for us, especially those among us who are sent as missionaries in other countries. GiGsss!
P.S. What if God calls you not only to mission but also to martyrdom?
In his journal Jean de Brébeuf had written: “Jesus, what can I give for all the favors you have given me? I will take from your hand the cup of suffering and call on your name…I vow to you, Jesus my Savior, that as far as I have strength I will never fail to accept the grace of martyrdom, if someday you in your infinite mercy should offer it to me, your unworthy servant.”
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