National Shrine of the North American Martyrs: Blessings Amid Brutality

I'm a half-century old and have been a practicing Catholic most of those years. And yet, until yesterday, I had never visited a shrine.  I never really understood the point. As a Christian, I believe that Mystery entered human history and settled among us. As a result, Christ is our constant companion. He is with us in every moment, in the circumstances of every person we encounter. So what's the point, my thinking went, of traveling many miles to a shrine of people who lived out their destinies with an eye on the One who made them?

This was my thinking until I discovered the Jesuit Martyrs of North America, until I read and reflected on their lives, and until our son chose one of them as his Confirmation companion. Then I wanted to go to the places these brave, gentle men had lived and died. I wanted to be better inspired by their example by seeing their lived experiences. This is how Lucas and I found ourselves yesterday morning in rural Auriesville, New York, at the National Shrine of the North American Martyrs.

Why Our Son Chose Antoine Daniel as His Patron Saint

Here is our 13-year-old son's report on Saint Antoine Daniel, S.J. Thank you, John Janaro, for recommending the wonderful book from which we both studied the Jesuit Martyrs of North America.  Pentecost is right around the corner and that is when Lucas will be confirmed.
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Name Chosen: Antoine Daniel

Brief Biography of the saint: Born in France in 1601, Antoine Daniel was a Jesuit missionary among the Hurons in Canada and one of eight Jesuit martyrs. He studied the Huron language before becoming a missionary.

Brutal Blessing: "Saints of the American Wilderness"

Let me tell you, there is no way I would have our 12-year-old child read this book. I ordered "Saints of the American Wilderness" by Rev. John A. O'Brien because our younger son has chosen Antoine Daniel as his Confirmation name and I was planning to read the book with him. Antoine Daniel is one of eight Jesuit missionaries martyred in 17th century Canada.

 It is so brutal in its details that many times I had to put the book down and take a breather. That said, adults should read "Saints of the American Wilderness" if they want to understand the sacrifices our ancestors made to bring the message of Christ to the North American continent. Be forewarned: within the first few chapters, we read detailed, and I mean detailed, accounts of cannibalism, finger chewing, sadistic torture and on and on. These details are not gratuitous. They go a long way in helping the reader understand exactly what these French men faced as they evangelized among the Hurons of what is now Ontario.

New To Me: North American Martyrs

"Saints of the American Wilderness: The Brave Lives and Holy Deaths of the Eight North American Martyrs" arrived on our doorstep yesterday afternoon. Amid laundry and teaching and carpooling and trying to keep up with my new fitness plan, I've been sneaking in snatches of it. I am grateful to blogging brother John Janaro for recommending it. I hope to write a full review once I finish this book.


So, why is a woman who drives around suburbia carting her kids and planning tomorrow's lessons for her high school students delving into the lives of the eight 17th century French men martyred as they ministered to native people in what is now Ontario? 

North American Martyrs: I am Looking for a Book about Them

Our son Lucas is searching for a patron saint. He will be confirmed next spring. He asked me to help him find a French saint - mostly I think because he's taking French and thinks a French name would sound cool as part of his.

I did a little googling and discovered Saint Antoine Daniel, one of the North American, or Canadian martyrs, Jesuits martyred in what is now southern Ontario and upstate New York in the mid17th century.

Lucas was impressed by his bravery in the face of most assured death.

Now, dear readers, I am wondering: can you recommend a book we can read together about these brave Jesuits? Thanks!

Waiting For Irene

From my perch in a 19th century farmhouse in New Brunswick, Canada last night, it was surreal to consider a massive hurricane is expected to hit the East Coast today. This is what it looked there yesterday, as my family toured the city of Saint John.

A couple readers of this blog worried about our travels. We are fine. We are in northern Maine right now,  hunkering down with dear friends who live here until it is safe for us to head home. In the meantime, prayers up for friends, family, and strangers living in Hurricane Irene's path. God bless the people in the Caribbean already left homeless by Irene.

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual.  Photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week.  A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, visit Soulemama to leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Where Poverty and Beauty Flower

I spent the good part of an hour yesterday afternoon standing in a lobster shack. Outside it was pouring. As I waited for the skies to clear, I chatted with a woman whose given name is Storme.

Each summer after lobster season ends, Storme and her partner transform this shack (on the right in the photo) on the New Brunswick coast into a shop, where they sell their photographs, pottery and paintings. Transform is a nice way to put it: the women have to scour the shack of the stench of lobster, haddock and mussels so summer tourists see only a cute gift shop. It is hard, smelly work.

My husband and I like to vacation like this, nice and slow. We love to take in the local flavors, learning a little about another corner of the world. This summer, we are spending time in a town called St. Martins, population 386.