St. Isaac Jogues joined the Jesuits at Rouen, France, in 1624. He studied philosophy, as a Priest became a missionary to New France (Canada) in 1636, starting in Quebec and working among the Hurons. This was a rough assignment - not only were the living conditions hard, but the locals blamed the "Blackrobes" for any disease, ill luck, or other problems that occurred where they were. Captured in 1642 by the Mohawks, enslaved, tortured and mutilated for thirteen months, he taught the Faith to any who would listen, and finally escaped. He recuperated in France, but returned to the New World in 1644 to continue his work with the natives. Martyred with fellow Jesuit priest Saint John de Brebeuf and several lay missionaries while on a peace mission to the Iroquois. One of the North American Martyrs.

Born
1607 at Orleans, France

Died
St. Isaac was tomahawked and scalped by an Iriquois chief on 18 October 1646 at Ossernenon in what would become upstate New York, USA

Beatified
1925

Canonized
29 June 1930 by Pope Pius XI