From 1642-1649, St. John de Brebeuf, St. Isaac Jogues, St. Rene Goupil and their companions were martyred for their faith in what is now upstate New York. A large, peaceful tract of land near Auriesville, (actually Fultonville) is dedicated to the memory of these North American Martyrs and serves as a reminder that the faith we celebrate in this country came at a price, The example of these French Jesuits who with great passion and conviction taught, suffered beatings, mutilation and finally, death reminds us that indeed, there is not greater love than to lay down one's life for another. Rather than cling to the great gift of life, they "threw it away" so that others might live. The faith did grow and spread in that area, and ten years after the death St. Isaac, in a village near where he was martyred, St. Kateri Tekakwitha was born.
When pain, illness, disappointment or even failure enter our lives, we might remember the example of these men, whose memorial is today, and these words of Bishop Robert Baron: "Cling
to your life and you will lose it; invest it, throw it away in love,
and you will get it back thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold."
Bro. Rene
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