Feast Day of the North American Martyrs

My post from last year

St. Isaac Jogues, St. Rene Goupil, St. St. John de Brebeuf, et al. were French Jesuits who came to evangelize the Indians of North America near the Canadian/U.S. Border. This was the territory of the Hurons and the Iroquois Indians, two very fierce tribes and not one to be easily converted.

In fact, these brave priests referred to as the Black Robes, were captured, enslaved and tortured by the Indians. After being tortured and surviving something so inconceivably cruel, St. Isaac Jogues was able to escape and return to France. When he gets there, what does he do? He decides to return to North American. Then he is again captured and this time he does not escape. He is martyred for the faith.

For more information and biographical notes on these extraordinary priests and saints, check out The Jesuits in France