The North American Martyrs

"My confidence is placed in God who does not need our help to accomplish His designs. Our single endeavor should be to give ourselves to the work and be faithful to Him (God), and not to spoil His work by our shortcomings."
- St. Isaac Jogues (1607 - 1646)

Today is the feast day of the North American martyrs (in Canada, their feast day is celebrated on September 26). The martyrs consist of eight Jesuit missionaries: St. Jean de Brébeuf, St. Isaac Jogues, St. Noel Chabanel, St. Antoine Daniel, St. Charles Garnier, St. René Goupil, St. Jean Lalande, and St. Gabriel Lallemant. These men all lived during the 17th century, and worked to convert the Native Americans. Nearly all of these men were killed by the Iroquois who were enemies of the Huron Indians, the Native Americans these men were trying to convert. These men were all canonized in 1930 by Pope Pius XI.

North American Martyrs, pray for us! 

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Picture of and Information About the North American Martyrs Taken From:

http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/saint.aspx?id=1173

http://www.stacm.ca/locations/patrons/cm/