We have celebrated the feast of many clusters of Martyrs in the last few weeks, but perhaps none can come closer to home than the Martyrs of North America whom we honor today. But long before they were killed by those who they were trying to teach, these men had given up their lives.

When he was only 17, Isaaac Jogues expressed a desire to be a missionary. After his ordination he was told: You will go to Canada to die. In 1647 he was murdered near Albany, New York.

John deBrebeuf expressed his desire for martyrdom in his prayer journal: I experience a great grace calling me to martyrdom, to endure all the torments in order to reconcile heathens to God. In 1649 he was martyred near Georgia Bay, Ontario.

Four remaining Jesuits: Anthony Daniel, Gabriel Lalement, Charles Garnier, and Noel Chabanel were also martyred in 1649. Two laymen were also martyred—Goupil, who had entered the Jesuits, but had to leave because of illness, became a surgeon. He was one of the first martyred in 1642. John Lalande, another layman, was martyred the very day after Isaac Jogues.

All were subjected to cruel and unbelievable tortures not unlike Jesus himself. However, it was their belief in salvation through Christ and his Church that they chose this life of challenge and hardship, to establish the gospel in North America.

These martyrs were men of their times never completely untouched by material aspirations but fortified by the zeal generosity and courage that comes from intimate relationship with Jesus through living the gospel. They can be models for us who faces different but perhaps no less threatening challenges to living the gospel ion our own day.

That in fact is the theme for tomorrows reflections on Renew 3.