Mohawk warriors attack the party of Father Jogues, 1646
Article Tools
- Text Size
- Add a comment (0)
- Print this article
- Email this article
The young Jesuit lay prostrate before the Blessed Sacrament in the mission chapel in New France. As he begged God for the privilege of suffering for the sake of those he sought to bring to Christ, he heard as clear and resonant as speech the following words: "Your prayer has been heard. Be it done to you as you have asked. Be comforted, be of strong heart."
Father Isaac Jogues rejoiced. He believed the words were a prophecy, “issued from the lips of him with whom saying and doing are only one and the same thing.” The conviction that God had spoken to him sustained Jogues throughout his ministry, especially during his captivity and torture by the Mohawks. Ultimately, his prayer would be fulfilled with his martyrdom.
Missionary to New France. Isaac Jogues was born into a devout merchant family in Orléans, France, on January 10, 1607. During his boyhood years, Franciscan and Jesuit missionaries were making their first efforts to evangelize the natives in the New World. By the time Isaac entered the Jesuit novitiate in 1624, a Jesuit mission had been established in Huronia (the present province of Ontario). Twelve years of discipline, study, and prayer prepared Isaac well for the life he anticipated…
The full article is available to subscribers only
Access all articles, daily meditations and readings, as well as special resources, by becoming a subscriber. View subscription options.
Special Offer: 2 week free web-only trial subscription. Sign up now.
Existing Print & Web-Only Subscribers: Login for full access.