“My confidence is placed in God who does not need our help for accomplishing His design.”

Isaac was born in 1607 in Orleans, France, into a good bourgeois family. At the age of 17, he entered the Jesuit novitiate school at Rouen.

He later studied at the royal college of La Fleche, and from one of the teachers, he heard stories of the New World, which he gained a lot of interest in. He continued his education at the University of Paris, was ordained a priest, and was accepted for missionary service.

At the age of 29, he embarked for Canada with several companions. They joined an established outpost on the peninsula of Lake Huron, to minister the Huron Indians.

After landing, the journey was 900 miles through rough terrain. When he arrived, he collapsed and fell ill. Sickness spread throughout, including into the local tribes, causing much friction. Upon hearing the message of the missionaries about our Lord, the medicine men grew hostile. It took much effort to reconcile for both these reasons.

Isaac labored and learned the languages. He developed trade skills and stamina, which impressed the Hurons. He then ventured on several missions heading both North and South, traversing uncharted lands, spreading the Gospel to the Indian tribes.

On the Huron peninsula, the Jesuits established Ste. Marie, which included a church, living quarters, hospital and fort. The Indians came in times of sickness and trouble, as well on Sunday’s and Feast Days. 1642 was a poor harvest year and illness spread throughout once again. When supplies were needed, Isaac was appointed leader of the expedition to Quebec, which consisted of mostly Hurons. On the return trip, they were sighted by an enemy Mohawk scouting party.

They were attacked with several of their 40-man party being killed or escaping, and the rest taken prisoner, including Isaac. They were tortured, with the converts enduring greater punishment, almost to the point of death, and then taken to a Mohawk fortress. Fr. Jogues had lost 2 fingers and was left with mangled hands. The intent was to burn them alive by the direction of the medicine men, but after the French discovered the captives whereabouts, the Indians hoped to ransom them.

Isaac’s slavery lasted more than a year under cruel conditions, but the Indians respected his endurance. During his time there he cared for others spiritually, gaining friends and enemies.

The Dutch were successful in rescuing him with a ransom under hostile conditions. He was hidden, taken to New Amsterdam, and in 1643 he bound for France. He was welcomed as a celebrity after word of his story spread. He detested it, and instead longed to return, which he did the following year. He visited his Dutch friends and repaid his ransom. He then returned to his Mohawk capturers who were impressed with his courage and offered gifts in exchange for the prisoners. He also established a peace pact amongst the tribes and settlers but this did not last long after illness and famine broke out and the Christians were blamed.

As part of the blame, he was captured once again and brought to the Chief, but a small faction of the tribe took matters into their own hands and beheaded him and his associates. Troubling times caused war to breakout against Indian tribes and settlers but Fr. Jogues’ bravery was always remembered and admired amongst the Indian leaders and friends.

Isaac’s reputation made for an easier reception of 3 new Jesuit priests and the Mohawk and Huron conversion spread quickly thanks to this.

His feast day is October 19.

For God’s Glory.