“Jesus, have mercy on us!” That was the simple prayer of Fr. Gabriel Lalemant. He was one of the eight Canadian Martyrs. Here we are at the Church of the Canadian Martyrs in Toronto. This church stands as a testament to their courage and faith.
The Church of the Canadian Martyrs is dedicated to eight Jesuit missionaries. These men faced martyrdom in the 17th century. They were evangelizing indigenous peoples in New France. Our parish was established in 1930. This was the same year the eight Holy Canadian Martyrs were canonized.
Jean de Brébeuf was the first Jesuit missionary in Huronia. He arrived in 1626. The Hurons called him “Echon” meaning ‘he who carries a heavy load’. He mastered native languages and customs. This helped him teach about Christ. In 1640, the Hurons suffered drought and illness. They blamed the Black Robes and harassed the missions. Brébeuf had vowed to accept martyrdom. He was captured with Gabriel Lalemant by the Mohawk. They were tortured and martyred on March 16, 1649.
Isaac Jogues arrived in Huronia in 1636. He served at mission outposts. He instructed and baptized the native people. The Iroquois captured him in 1642. He was tortured and enslaved. He ministered to Christian Hurons during his captivity. Jogues returned to France a hero. He was called the “living martyr”. He returned to Canada. He sought a peace treaty with the Indian nations. In 1646, the Mohawks killed him. Saint Isaac is the patron saint of diplomats.
Gabriel Lalemant arrived in Huronia in 1648. He quickly learned the local cultures and language. He was captured with Jean de Brébeuf. They were tortured by the Mohawk. Lalemant witnessed Brébeuf’s martyrdom. Lalemant died on March 17, 1649.
Antoine Daniel had a gift for teaching children. He set prayers and commandments to music. He founded the first boy’s college in North America in Quebec in 1635. The Mohawk attacked his mission in 1648. Villagers sought refuge in the church. Daniel stood outside with a cross. He was killed by the Mohawk. His body was thrown into the burning church.
Charles Garnier came to Huronia in 1636. He worked with Jean de Brébeuf. He later worked with the Petuns. He built two chapels. He baptized 184 natives. In 1649, Mohawk warriors massacred Petun villages. Garnier was hit by a bullet. A Mohawk warrior then killed him with a tomahawk.
Noël Chabanel traveled to Canada in 1643. He struggled with the language and customs. He vowed to stay in Huronia until death. He was killed by a Huron on December 8, 1649. He was the only martyr killed by a Huron.
René Goupil was deaf. He offered his medical skills to the Jesuit missionaries. He accompanied Isaac Jogues to Huron country. The Mohawks captured them. Goupil took his vows as a Brother to Fr. Jogues. He was killed for making the sign of the cross with a child. Br. René Goupil is the patron saint for the deaf-mute.
Jean de la Lande assisted Isaac Jogues. He accompanied Jogues to the Mohawk mission in 1646. He was tortured and threatened by the Mohawks. After Jogues’ death, he sought to bury the body. Mohawk braves ambushed and killed him.
These eight men are the Canadian Martyrs. Pope Pius XI beatified them on June 21, 1925. He canonized them on June 29, 1930. Their feast is celebrated on September 26 in Canada. The Church of the Canadian Martyrs stands within the parish boundaries of Railway tracks to the North. To the East, the boundary stretches from Selwyn Avenue to Elmont Drive. Lumsden Avenue and Mortimer Avenue mark the South. Coxwell Avenue borders the West.
The stories of these men continue to inspire. May their courage and devotion resonate within these walls. As we leave this sacred place, remember the sacrifices of the Canadian Martyrs. Let their faith guide us in our own lives.