Early Church writer Tertullian from Carthage in present-day Tunisia in North Africa in the 2nd century wrote: “The blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians.” The martyrs who stood up for the Church in its early years paved the way for Christianity to spread in the ancient world and to eventually become a recognized religion in the Roman empire in the early 4th century. Today, we recognize six Jesuit priests and two Jesuit laymen who were martyred over an eight year period in the middle of the 17th century as they served as missionaries in North America in the present day countries of Canada and the United States. These French missionaries met violent deaths in the region of eastern Canada and New York states as they brought the Gospel message to the native people of the Americas. These eight martyrs were canonized as a group by Pope Pius IX in 1930. With the month of October designated as World Mission Month and this upcoming Sunday designated as World Mission Sunday, it is appropriate that we recognize them on their feast day today, highlighting their missionary spirit.
One of those missionaries who was martyred was Jean de Brebeuf. He arrived in the French settlements in present-day Canada in 1624. He was the founder of the Huron missions there. He spent 24 years ministering to the Huron people and celebrating thousands of baptisms. He worked hard in learning the Huron language. His dictionary and catechism in that language are the best records modern linguists have of the Huron language. He composed a Christmas hymn entitled the Huron Carol in both French and Huron. It is the first Christmas Carol composed in North America.
In 1649, Jean de Brebeuf and fellow Jesuit priest Gabriel Lalemant were captured, severely tortured and eventually murdered by members of the Iroquois tribe, who were the enemies of the Huron. Their torture and deaths were so brutal that I will not write down the details. The life of Jean de Brebeuf is portrayed in the famous novel Black Robe by Irish-Canadian-American author Brian Moore, a marvelous novel about the Catholic missionary efforts in North America in the 17th century. Moore used the journals of the Jesuit missionaries as the source material of this novel, at the urging of his close friend, Catholic English novelist Graham Greene. Jean de Brebeuf and his missionary companions call out to us today, calling us to be missionary in spirit and to continue their efforts to spread the Gospel message throughout the world with love and compassion.
Below is a link of a video by Chris Stefanick of Real Life Catholic, speaking about the life of Jean de Brebeuf. I think you will enjoy this wonderful video.
Blessings to all of you - have a blessed week. Father Lincoln.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnNQvJBQDMI
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