The North American Martyrs

1. The North American Martyrs

2. The North American MartyrsEight Heroes of the Faith • St. René Goupil (†1642) • St. Isaac Jogues (†1646) • St. Jean de Lalande (†1646) • St. Antoine Daniel (†1648) • St. Jean de Brébeuf (†1649) • St. Gabriel Lalemant (†1649) • St. Noël Chabanel (†1649) • St. Charles Garnier (†1649)

3. 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

4. The North American MartyrsConditions • Travel conditions • Language barrier • Living conditions in the New World • Superstition, promiscuity, war, cannibalism • Disease • Being blamed for bringing disease

5. St. René Goupil 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

6. St. Isaac Jogues 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

7. St. Jean de Lalande 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

8. St. Antoine Daniel 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

9. St. Jean de Brébeuf 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!”)

10. St. Gabriel Lalemant 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

11. St. Charles Garnier 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)

12. St. Noël Chabanel 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

13. 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

14. 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