St. Isaac Jogues Martyr

St. Isaac Jogues was martyred in North America while on a mission by the Jesuits to the Huron Indians in Canada. The Hurons accepted St. Isaac but the Huron's enemy, the Mohawk tribe, captured Saint Isaac and tortured him, cutting off his thumbs. He was save by Dutchmen and returned to France.

The following year, St. Isaac was returning to the Mohawk tribe but was blamed for a sickness that was spreading throughout the Mohawk people. St. Isaac was stripped, slashed with knives, killed with a tomahawk, and beheaded.

St. Isaac Jogues Quote

"My confidence is placed in God who does not need our help for accomplishing his designs. Our single endeavor should be to give ourselves to the work and to be faithful to him, and not to spoil his work by our shortcomings."

St. Isaac Jogues Canonized

St. Isaac Jogues was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1930 along with his fellow Jesuit martyrs:

* St. Rene Goupil
* St. John de Laland
* St Anthony Daniel
* St. John de Brebeuf
* St. Gabriel Lalement
* St. Charles Garnier
* St. Noel Chabanel

Wearing a St. Jogues medal or a St. Isaac necklace is a reminder of the sacrifice St. Isaac made to spread Christianity to North America. The remained steadfast to his mission of faith even when tortured and killed for Jesus Christ. Many Catholics in the United State wear a St. Isaac pendant in honor of this martyr who was killed in Albany, New York. The feast day of the North American Martyrs is October 19.

St. Isaac Prayer

Father, you consecrated the first beginnings
of the faith in North America by preaching and martyrdom
of Saints John & Isaac and their companions.

By the help of their prayers may the Christian faith continue to grow throughout the world.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.