The North American Martyrs
The North American Martyrs were several French Jesuit priests who died for the faith in the 1640s. The “Black Robes” came to Canada and upstate New York to proclaim the Gospel to the native peoples, but were caught up in the conflict between the Huron and Mohawk Iroquois tribes. Among the priests martyred were Saint Isaac Jogues and Saint Jean de Brebeuf. A first-class relic of one of the North American martyrs (identity uncertain) rests in the main altar of our church. The martyrs’ feast day is celebrated October 19. (Kremer, 2026) Photo from Tulsa, Oklahoma, 2026.