Memorial of Saints John Brebeuf, Isaac Jogues, and Companions, martyrs
(Ephesians 2:1-10; Luke 12:13-21)
Sts. John de Brebeuf and Isaac Jogues were not martyred
together. Neither were their
“companions” killed with them. They
represent the efforts of many Jesuits working with native Americans on the
American continent. Both de Brebeuf and
Jogues had two tours in the North American missions. Brebeuf was sent back to France when the
English expelled Jesuits from Quebec.
Jogues returned to France after suffering torture by the Iroquois. He asked to return to America. Shortly afterwards on a peace mission to the
Iroquois he was captured by a Mohawk war party and beheaded.
Both Brebeuf and Jogues seem to have had a special love for
Native Americans, at least the Hurons among both worked. But in explaining what motivated them to
persist in their missionary activity despite hardship and persecution one must
go deeper than that. The Letter to the
Ephesians provides a satisfactory reason.
Grace recreated them in Christ so that they might sacrifice themselves
for others. Grace moves martyrs not only
to love Christ but many others as well.
Despite their dedication to the people, no doubt the North
American Jesuits have detractors criticizing their apostolic zeal. In their defense something needs to be
said. The missionaries changed peoples’
culture so that the people may know the love of God. This change does not disrupt culture so much
as deepen it. It keeps what is noble and
infuses it with selfless love. To criticize such a change is tantamount to
saying that selfless love is unbecoming of greatness. But what is greater, more admirable that
selfless love?
