Teen Essay Winner: Encountering Isaac Jogues

Isaac Jogues was born in 1607 in Orleans, France. He joined the Society of Jesus in 1624 and was ordained a priest in 1636. He went to New France, known today as Canada, as a missionary to each the Huron Indians about Christ. His goal and dream had always been to lead them into Christianity.

Father Jogues lead a mission known to the Indians as the Tobacco Nation in 1639 and the Algonquin in 1641. Father Jogues and his companions were always in danger of being killed by the Indians. The Indians called them "Blackrobes" and accused Father Jogues and his companions of causing all of the Indians' problems.

While on an expedition to Quebec for supplies of medicine and food, Father Jogues and his companions were taken captive by a band of the very warlike Iroquois Indians. They were tortured continuously for months. When the French government was trying to secure their freedom, Father Jogues wrote, "I prefer to remain as a captive unless it be the will of God that I escape."

That statement shows how deep Father Jogues' devotion to God was, and it show that he believed and acknowledged that what God wants is far more important than what he himself wanted. Shortly after, Father Jogues and his companions did manage to escape from the tribe of Iroquois Indians.

Later, Father Jogues returned to New France to lead more Indians into the Christian Faith. One night, while in the wigwam of an Iroquois chief, Father Jogues was taken captive again. Later, after being tortured for many days, Father Jogues was executed near Auriesville. His head was crushed with a tomahawk and he was scalped.

He was canonized in 1930, along with seven other martyrs, who became known as the North American Martyrs.

I chose St. Isaac Jogues as a person I would like to have met and as a person who made a difference in Church history, because he set a precedent for the missionaries who came after him that showed them how to give up everything, including their own life if necessary, for the will of God to be done.

St. Isaac Jogues made a huge difference in the lives of the Native Americans whom he baptized into Christ. He showed them the faith of Christianity and opened them up to Jesus Christ and His teachings. He gave many Native Americans a reason to live. They now, because of St. Isaac Jogues, follow the teachings of Jesus Christ.

He is an excellent role model to all people, especially young Christians. St. Isaac Jogues shows young Christians that, if he sacrificed his life for Christ, then the least we can do is to follow His teachings to the best of our ability. By joining the Society of Jesus at the age of 17, he also shows that just because you are young doesn't mean that you can't make a difference in the lives of others through the teachings of Christ.

St. Isaac Jogues was an excellent person and follower of Christ; he gives inspiration to many people.

(11-05-98) [[In-content Ad]]