St. Isaac Jogues

Isaac Jogues (1607-1646) and his companions were the first martyrs of the North American continent officially recognized by the Church. As a young Jesuit, Isaac Jogues, a man of learning and culture, taught literature in France. He gave up that career to work among the Huron Indians in the New World, and in 1636 he and his companions, under the leadership of John de Brebeuf, arrived in Quebec. The Hurons were constantly warred upon by the Iroquois, and in a few years Father Jogues was captured by the Iroquois and imprisoned for 13 months. His letters and journals tell how he and his companions were led from village to village, and how they were beaten, tortured and forced to watch as their Huron converts were mangled and killed.

October 18, 1646, Father Jogues was tomahawked and beheaded. His Feast Day is October 19.

He and seven other Jesuit martyrs of North America were canonized in 1930.  They are patrons of Canada.