Homily Feast of St. John de Brebuf and Isaac Jogues (2020)

Homily Feast of St. John de Brebuf and Isaac Jogues (2020)

The Jesuits were a major missionary force within the Catholic church at the time of the reformation.  They were not formed like other religious orders.  Most religious groups were made of people who expected to live in community throughout their lives.  The thought was that the Christian needed the support of a community in order to persevere in their vocation, which is a valuable philosophy.

Jesuits lived in community for the most part, but they were not necessarily locked into that concept.  At times Jesuits were sent on dangerous missions in remote places to try and establish a church community.

Many times, when they went into these locations, they knew that it was certain death, but they felt it was worth the price.  Their death could be caused by disease, the risky travel or by hostile religious groups. 

We remember the North American martyrs today (Isaac Jogues and John de Brebuf).  These Jesuit martyrs came to Canada and Northern New York in the 17^th century.  Their mission was to introduce Christianity to native American people. 

The story of the colonization of the Americas is a complicated one.  Many times, the Native Americans were brutalized, and their culture was dismissed as unimportant. At other times the missionaries wanted only to spread the Gospel.  The message was one of mercy and redemption.  Isaac Jogues and John de Brebuf lived among the indigenous peoples and respected them.  They wished to walk with them and learn from them.  Unfortunately, they were blamed when disease and misfortune came upon the natives they lived with.  Both were tortured and killed.  These two Jesuits never responded with hate.

Reflection Questions:

1. Is there anything I am willing to die for?  What is it?
   1. How do I view the story of the conquest of the Americas?  Is this a story of racial bigotry?  Does that bigotry still exist today?

 

Dear Parishioners,

          I visited our grade school religious education classes yesterday.  Things seem to be going well.  When students are checked in for class their temperatures are taken, and they answer some basic questions about how they are feeling.  Students wear masks the whole class time and we try to keep them spread apart.

          If students do not want to attend in person classes, they can do an online option.  We should not let our students miss their religious formation.  If so, this will be detrimental to them.

          If anyone reading this knows of students who are not enrolled in classes, please encourage them to contact Debbie at our offices.

          May Our Lady and all the angels and saints watch over you.

          Fr. Mark