The church in North America did not come without sacrifice. Many missionaries were viciously martyred as they came to the new world to spread the word. Today, the church honors St. Isaac Jogues, Jean De Brebeuf, and companions, the first officially recognized martyrs of North America. Jogues a Jesuit was beaten, tortured, escaped his captors, returned to his native France having lost several fingers to his captors, and still returned to North America to continue his mission. Father Jogues was eventually captured by a Mohawk war party, tomahawked and beheaded. Among his companions killed, one was tomahawked for making the sign of the cross on the brow of children. Some were burned to death. Jean de Brebeuf was also a Jesuit and in the early 1600s he ministered in the area that is today Quebec. He was expelled by the English when they captured Quebec, but returned four years later. He converted some 7000 people before his death-- four hours of extreme torture at the hands of the Iroquois. Pray for the martyrs of the church this weekend. Our own sacrifices are so comparatively simple. Do we spread the word to others? Do we give enough time, talent, treasure-- so minimal compared to what others gave throughout the history of our church. Won’t you sacrifice one hour of time to come to church this weekend? Will you ask a fallen Catholic to join you? See you at Mass.
Posted on: Sat, 19 Oct 2013 13:31:29 +0000
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