Saints John de Brébeuf, Isaac Jogues, Priests, and Companions, Martyrs
A commemoration of the Jesuit martyrs who evangelized North America.
Martyrdom for Faith
Saints John de Brébeuf, Isaac Jogues, and their companions were brave Jesuit priests who dedicated their lives to evangelizing Indigenous peoples in North America. They faced numerous challenges, including hardships, persecution, and ultimately martyrdom, but remained resolute in their faith and mission.
Their witness serves as a powerful reminder of the call to evangelization, as they strove to live out the Gospel in diverse cultural contexts while respecting the dignity of those they served. Today, we honor their sacrifices and their lasting impact on the Church in America.
A Legacy of Faith
John de Brébeuf was born in France and came to Canada in 1625, while Isaac Jogues was one of the first missionaries to New France. They worked tirelessly among the Huron and Iroquois peoples, learning their languages and cultures.
Both suffered greatly for their faith, with Jogues enduring captivity and torture before his martyrdom in 1646. Brébeuf ultimately met the same fate in 1649. Their sacrifices are memorialized, reminding us of the deep roots of Christianity in North America.
Martyrdom is the highest act of love.
— Papal teachingGreater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
John 15:13Symbols & iconography
- LilySymbolizes purity and the dedication of the martyrs to their mission.
- CrossRepresents their ultimate sacrifice for the love of Christ.
Customs & traditions
Pray the Rosary
Gather as a family to pray the Rosary, meditating on the mysteries of faith.
Read their Lives
Explore the stories of Saints Brébeuf and Jogues together to inspire conversations about faith.
Volunteer Together
Engage in a service project to help local communities, reflecting the martyrs’ dedication to others.
About this date
This memorial is celebrated on October 19, the anniversary of their martyrdom, which serves as a poignant reminder of their sacrifices.
Frequently asked
Who were Saints John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues?
They were Jesuit priests and missionaries who were martyred while evangelizing Indigenous peoples in North America.
Why do we celebrate their feast day?
To honor their dedication to the faith and their ultimate sacrifice for spreading the Gospel.
What is the significance of their story?
Their lives inspire us to courageously live out our faith and serve others.
Pray it as a household
Bring the feast into your family’s day
Solua walks your family through the day’s prayer together — a few unhurried minutes, shaped by the season.
Pray Together