Two celebrations today for Saints. First we celebrate the North American Martyrs. Between the years of 1642 and 1649 eight members of the Society of Jesus(the Jesuits) were killed in North America, after fearful torture by members of the Huron and Iroquois tribes. These men had worked hard to bring the natives of the region to the true faith.
The missionaries who gave their lives for Chirst and the Gospel area:
St. Rene Goupil - September 29, 1642
St. Isaac Jogues - October 18, 1646
St. John de Laland - October 19, 1646
St. Anthony Daniel - July 4, 1648
St. John de Brebeuf - March 16, 1649
St. Gabriel Lalemant - March 17, 1649
St. Charles Garnier - December 7, 1649
St. Noel Chabenel - December 8, 1649
It was evident from the writings of St. John de Brebeuf that they were prepared for martyrdom and grieved for any native who would not accept the redeeming message of Christ crucified.
We celebrate the feast on this day which also is the day we celebrate St. Paul of the Cross. Paul was born in Liguria in 1694. He worked alongside his father as a merchant but left his family and his work seeking a life of spiritual perfection. He brought together a group of associates who joined with him in caring for the poor and the sick. After Paul became a Priest, he worked even more earnestly for the salvation of souls by founding homes, exercising apostolic zeal and afflicting himself with arsh penances. He died at Rome on October 18, 1775.
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