A Sunday Thought About the North American Martyrs
Yesterday was the feast day of St Isaac Jogues, St Jean de Brebeuf and companions. I remember vivid stories of their heroic work among the North American Indians, as well as their eventual martyrdom. We knew where they came from, where they worked, the Indian tribes with whom they worked, even details of how they were killed. These images never left me. Whenever their feast rolls around (October 19th) I express my gratitude to them and pray for one gazillionth of their holiness and, more specifically, their courage in spreading the Good News - something we are all called to do.
I don't know if children today are taught about these great men in such detail anymore. I'm not sure saints, more specifically martyrs, command much time or even respect in today's religious education. I suspect not, given the limited exposure I've had to children's religious education - even those who attend Catholic schools. Since we home-schooled our children, I never thought much about this before; I was simply focused on trying to pass on the Faith to our own children in the face of a secular culture and a Catholic educational system that seemed intent on repeating nothing more than the simple point (albeit it wonderful) that God loves us - and perhaps that we should love each other.
In any case, this feast day has, over time, worked its way into the series of feasts that I alluded to a few weeks ago - those feasts beginning with St Wenceslaus, St Michael and the Archangels, et al, that somehow beckon the coming great celebration of the Incarnation, observed in the seasons of Advent and Christmas. I can't really explain how the North American martyrs specifically fit in, but they just do - at least they do for me.
If you don't know about these great men, do yourself a favor and learn something about their lives. If your children don't have vivid images of their work and their ultimate sacrifice, do your children a favor and be sure to provide a proper understanding of their great work.
Imagine how much better off we all would be, especially our children, if we returned to a knowledge and understanding of our Holy Faith that included learning about the saints - especially in a secular world that presents only the sleazy icons of pop culture that shall here remain nameless. It's the saints that should inspire us all, fill our minds and hearts with examples of just how to live our lives as Catholics. Not that most of us will be called to give up our lives as martyrs, but martyrdom itself is only possible with a deep and abiding love of Jesus Christ - and this we all are called to.
I don't know if children today are taught about these great men in such detail anymore. I'm not sure saints, more specifically martyrs, command much time or even respect in today's religious education. I suspect not, given the limited exposure I've had to children's religious education - even those who attend Catholic schools. Since we home-schooled our children, I never thought much about this before; I was simply focused on trying to pass on the Faith to our own children in the face of a secular culture and a Catholic educational system that seemed intent on repeating nothing more than the simple point (albeit it wonderful) that God loves us - and perhaps that we should love each other.
In any case, this feast day has, over time, worked its way into the series of feasts that I alluded to a few weeks ago - those feasts beginning with St Wenceslaus, St Michael and the Archangels, et al, that somehow beckon the coming great celebration of the Incarnation, observed in the seasons of Advent and Christmas. I can't really explain how the North American martyrs specifically fit in, but they just do - at least they do for me.
If you don't know about these great men, do yourself a favor and learn something about their lives. If your children don't have vivid images of their work and their ultimate sacrifice, do your children a favor and be sure to provide a proper understanding of their great work.
Imagine how much better off we all would be, especially our children, if we returned to a knowledge and understanding of our Holy Faith that included learning about the saints - especially in a secular world that presents only the sleazy icons of pop culture that shall here remain nameless. It's the saints that should inspire us all, fill our minds and hearts with examples of just how to live our lives as Catholics. Not that most of us will be called to give up our lives as martyrs, but martyrdom itself is only possible with a deep and abiding love of Jesus Christ - and this we all are called to.
Comments