North American Martyrs, Pray for us!

Today is the feast of the North American Martyrs, a group of eight Jesuits who gave the ultimate sacrifice for the Native American people in the mid 1600's. They gave their very lives in order to bring the gift of faith to a new and hostile land. Their courage and bravery in the face of torture and death astonished even the toughest of Mohawk chiefs, and brought about conversions of heart.

I never really knew much about these holy men of God, until my realization of their love for the Native American people drew me into their story. It was eight years ago that God drew them into mine.

I began a novena to these saints one Sunday evening in October 2004 just because it seemed like a good thing to do. My intentions were for the elections coming up and for my grandma's soul, since she was now in a nursing home and didn't know Jesus as her Savior.

Two days after starting this prayer my mom called to let me know that Grandma was dying. I remembered my prayer from two years back, "Please let me be holding Grandma's hand as she passes into Glory."

I made the trip up to New York to be with Grandma during her last few days of life. I held onto the hope of that bodacious prayer. The first part was now in place: I was with Grandma, but she still didn't know Jesus. There was much to be done.

I continued my novena to the North American Martyrs for the next several days as I spent the nights by her bedside. Eventually the time came when I was able to help her renew her baptismal vows.

"You are now a new creation in Christ," I remember praying. Grandma smiled the most peaceful smile I had ever seen and let out a deep sigh. She truly was a new creation in Christ. I was sure that she had found Jesus.

At home my mom got out her Catholic calendar to look at the week ahead. "Let's see what feast days are coming up," she said in anticipation of Grandma's passing.

I can't even remember what she said about Sunday, October 17 and Monday, October 18, because when she got to Tuesday, October 19, I couldn't believe my ears. "Tuesday, October 19 is the feast of the North American Martyrs." I heard my mom say.

I quickly counted back the days. What are the chances that I could have started a novena by sheer accident exactly nine days prior to the feast day, AND offered up Grandma's soul before I knew she had stopped eating?

Sheer accident? Not a chance!

Coincidence? No way!

"That's the day," I said. "That's the day that Grandma will be with Jesus."

When Tuesday morning dawned, Grandma did pass into Glory as I sat with her, holding her hand. I have never felt anything quite like that moment before; it was as if heaven and earth had come together in that room. I could even sense the presence of those Martyrs who had come to escort Grandma home.

Saying goodbye to Grandma was hard, but the joy that filled my soul was overwhelming. Grandma was safe, and I would be forever grateful to Jesus and those eight men who are still in the business of bringing souls to Christ.

St. Isaac Jogues, St. John de Brebeuf, St. Gabriel Lalemant, St. Anthony Daniel, St. Charles Garnier, St. Noel  Chabanel, St. Rene Goupil, St. John de la Lande, continue to pray for us...

....and thank you!

Four years later our family made a pilgrimage to the Shrine of the North American Martyrs in Auriesville, NY.



Welcome to Ossernenon
Now Auriesville, NY

Sign posted at the front door
of the Martyrs' shrine







The ravine that held
St. Rene Goupil's remains

Inside the ravine was
hallowed ground.

It was a tremendous experience to be on hallowed ground, where the blood of the martyrs was shed for the love of Jesus. Only two decades after their martyrdom, Kateri Tekekwitha, the Lily of the Mohawks, was born in the same village, Ossernenon.

Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha will become the first canonized Native American this Sunday, October 21, 2012. Thank you, Jesus!