Feast of St. Isaac Jogues and John De Brebeuf and Companions

Father, you consecrated the first beginnings of the faith in North America by the preaching and martyrdom of Staints John and Isaac and their companions. By the help of their prayers may the Christian faith continue to grow throughout the world. (from Liturgy of the Hours)

My post on this day 2004 (my second post ever) is one of my best. I really cannot improve upon it. We have visited the Martyrs Shrine in Auriesville several times-the first on my oldest son's request. Read the whole thing by clicking here. Here is an excerpt in case you don't want to go back...

And it is the grounds (at the NA martyrs shrine in Auriesville, NY) which are where you want to be. You want to walk down into the ravine where Rene Goupil was martyred and where Isaac Jogues secretly buried his remains. This ravine is where Isaac Jogues spent much of his captivity praying. He considered this holy ground because it contained the remains of a martyr. You want to pray on these grounds where martyrs prayed and are buried.

You want to climb the hill (which overlooks the NY State Thruway) where Isaac Jogues had to run the gauntlet. You want to pray as you walk through the village where Isaac Jogues fingers were mutilated and where he was martyred for love of God and for the conversion of these Iroquois.

This is not Europe where centuries of saints have trod. There are not many places in North American where you can walk where martyrs blood was spilt. (Pray that through their intercession, your zeal for souls may be rekindled.)

If you have the chance, go visit - and go pray.

If you want to know more, booklets on some of these martyrs are available from Arx Publishing (click here to get copies). There are a couple good books on Isaac Jogues and the other North American Martyrs, but I couldn't locate them at this writing. If I find them during the day I will update this post with the info.

We have few martyrs in our history, so these should be more widely honored and their sacrifices more often contemplated. Their shrine in Auriesville, NY should be a major pilgrimage destination. I know it is for some.

We will go to Mass this morning to commemorate their sharing in the cross of Christ.

St. Isaac Jogues, St. John De Brebeuf, St. Rene Goupil -pray for us!

Our Lady of Joyful Hope - pray for us!

Oremus pro invicem!