ST GABRIEL LALEMANT, MISSIONARY AND MARTYR - 17 MARCH

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN MARCH

Saints celebrated on the 17th of March

WELCOME!

SAINT GABRIEL LALEMANT, MISSIONARY AND MARTYR 

[Saint Gabriel Lalemant] was a Jesuit missionary, born at Paris, October 10, 1610; he died in the Huron country, March 17, 1649. 

HIS ARRIVAL IN CANADA

He was the nephew of Charles and Jerome Lalemant, and became a Jesuit at Paris, March 24, 1630. He arrived in Canada, September 20, 1646 and after remaining in Quebec for two years, was sent to the Huron missions as de Bébeuf’s assistant. 

He was scarcely there a month when the Iroquois attacked the settlement of St Ignatius which they burned, and then descended on the mission of St Louis where they found de Bébeuf and Lalemant.

THEIR MARTYR'S CROWN

After setting fire to the village and killing many of the inhabitants, they led the two priests back to St Ignatius where they were tied to stakes and after horrible torture put to death. Lalemant stood by while his companion was being killed. De Bébeuf expired at three in the afternoon. Lalemant’s suffering began at six that evening and lasted until nine o’clock next morning. 

When the Iroquois withdrew, the bodies of the two priests were carried over to St Mary’s where they were interred. Some of the relics of Lalemant were subsequently brought to Quebec.

Source: Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that we who know how courageously your holy martyr Gabriel confessed the faith, may experience his goodness as he intercedes for us with you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.