Today we continue our regular series called “Learning from the Saints.” Our guide is expert Bert Ghezzi, a dear friend of mine and the author of numerous books including Voices of the Saints, Saints at Heart, and Discover Christ: Developing a Personal Relationship with Jesus.
His newest book is The Saints Devotional Bible, which illuminates the Scriptures with the saints’ own reflections. You can learn more about Bert and his work at BertGhezzi.com.
Today, Bert profiles St. Jean de Brébeuf, the patron saint of Canada.
“How I grieve, my God, that you are not known, that this savage country is not yet wholly converted to faith in you, that sin is not yet blotted out!”
— St. John de Brébeuf
Some saints I feel I know a little better because I have met someone like them. But I have never met anyone like St. John de Brébeuf, the Jesuit missionary and martyr. Large and handsome, his presence commanded attention. A brilliant student, gifted linguist and competent manager, he could make things happen. I have met others like that, but none like this saint who was willing to endure anything if only he could thank Christ by giving his life for the salvation of others.
Even though he was weakened by tuberculosis, John joined the Canada mission in 1625. For a quarter of a century with only a four-year interlude, he evangelized the Hurons in Quebec. He lived with them, embraced their customs, mastered their language and wrote a catechism for them.
At first he had little success because the odds were stacked against him. The Indians viewed him as a member of a conquering race. They also blamed him for rampant diseases and everything else that went wrong. But John persevered with the good humor you see in this letter inviting other Jesuits to join the mission:
“When you reach the land of the Hurons, you will find us full of love. We will receive you in a hut so miserable that none in France compare to it. Completely exhausted as you will be, we shall be able to give you nothing but a mat for a bed. Besides you will arrive in the season when ubiquitous fleas will prevent you from closing an eye all night long.
“You may have been a famous professor, but here you will be merely a student and with what students—savages who will constantly ridicule you. The Huron language will be your St. Thomas and your Aristotle, and—clever and glib man that you are—you must decide to be mute for a long time among these barbarians.
“You will spend the winter in almost continuous discomforts—excessive cold, smoke, the annoying habits of the savages, who crowd around our fireplace all day expecting to be fed.
“For the rest—well, so far life has been a bed of roses. We have Christians in almost every village, so we must plan on making rounds at all seasons. And our lives hang by a thread. Our straw cabin may catch fire at any moment. The malice of the savages causes perpetual fear. Some malcontent may cleave open your head because he believes you are the cause of droughts.
“Here we have nothing to incite us toward good, living among people who are astonished when you speak to them of God.”
In 1649, the Iroquois attacked the Huron village where John was living. They brutally martyred him, Gabriel Lalement, his companion, and their converts. Their suffering is indescribable: bludgeoned, burned with red hot hatchets, baptized with boiling water, mutilated, flesh stripped off and eaten, hearts plucked out and devoured. But St. John de Brébeuf had his prayer answered. He traded his life for the 7,000 souls he had converted and baptized.
“My God and my savior Jesus, what return can I make to you for all the benefits you have conferred on me? I make a vow to you never to fail, on my side, in the grace of martyrdom, if by your infinite mercy you offer it to me some day.”
— St. John de Brébeuf
(Image Credit: Craig Marlatt)
Read more from Bert at his website www.BertGhezzi.com, or check out his many books on Amazon.
 |
 |
 |
 |