St. John de Brebeuf (1593–1649) was a French Jesuit. He wanted to enter the priesthood since young, but his health was so bad there were doubts he could make it. His posting as a missionary to frontier Canada at the age of 32 was a literal godsend. He spent the rest of his life there, and the harsh and hearty climate so agreed with him that the natives, surprised at his endurance, called him “Echon”, which means ‘load bearer’. His massive size made them think twice about sharing a canoe with him for fear of sinking.
John had great difficulty learning the Huron language. “You may have been a famous professor or theologian in France,” he wrote in a letter home, “but here you will merely be a student, and with what teachers! The Huron language will be your Aristla crosse.” However, he eventually wrote a catechism in Huron, and a French-Huron dictionary for use by other missionaries.
According to the histories of the game, it was John who named the present-day version of the Indian game ‘lacrosse’ because the stick used reminded him of a bishop’s crosier (la crosse).
He was martyred in 1649, tortured to death by the Iroquois. By 1650, the Huron nation was exterminated, and the laboriously built mission was abandoned. But it proved to be “one of the triumphant failures that are commonplace in the Church’s history”. These martyrdoms created a wave of vocations and missionary fervour in France, and it gave new heart to the missionaries in New France.
- Patron Saint Index
Isaac Jogues (1607–1646) joined the Jesuits at Rouen, France in 1624. He was ordained a priest and taught literature. He became a missionary to New France (Canada) in 1636, starting in Quebec and working among the Hurons and Petuns in the area of the Great Lakes. 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.
He was captured on 3 August 1642 by the Mohawks, enslaved, tortured and mutilated for 13 months, but he taught the Faith to any who would listen. With the help of local Dutch settlers, he finally escaped and was sent back to France to recover.
In 1644, he returned to Canada to continue his work with the natives and negotiate peace with the Iroquois. He was martyred with fellow Jesuit priest John de Brebeuf and several lay missionaries when the natives blamed Christian sorcery for an epidemic and crop failure. He is one of the North America Martyrs.
- Patron Saint Index
St. Paul of the Cross (1694–1775) was the son of a merchant and a pious youth. After receiving a vision and while still a layman, he founded the Congregation of Discalced Clerks of the Most Holy Cross and Passion (Passionists) in 1721 to preach about Jesus Crucified. He was a preacher of such power that hardened soldiers and bandits were seen to weep.
The community lived a penitential life, in solitude and poverty, teaching people in the easiest possible way how to meditate on the Passion of Jesus. He was ordained in 1727, along with his brother John Baptist by Pope Benedict XIII. After ordination, they devoted themselves to preaching missions in parishes, particularly in remote country places where there were insufficient priests pastorally involved. Their preaching apostolate and the retreats they gave in seminaries and religious houses brought their mission to the attention of others and gradually the community began to grow.
However, the austere life of the Passionists did not encourage large numbers and at one point, all the brothers in the Order deserted him. But Paul preferred a slow, at times painful, growth to something more spectacular. In 1741, his Rule was approved by Pope Benedict XIV, and the community began to grow again.
During his lifetime, Paul of the Cross was best known as a popular preacher and a spiritual director. More than two thousand of his letters, most of them letters of spiritual direction, have been preserved. By the time of his death, the congregation had 80 fathers and brothers. He is considered among the greatest Catholic mystics of the 18th century.
- Patron Saint Index, Wikipedia
Eph 1:15–23
Lk 12:8-12
“…the Holy Spirit will teach you what you must say.”
Words are very powerful. Many of us would have memories of specific phrases or words that greatly influenced our lives. Some of us would have received words of motivation which helped us stay on track. Some would have received words that helped us think things differently. Sadly, some words would have caused us so much pain that we are scarred for life. Words can start or stop wars. Words can bring life, or death.
Today’s reading is often used to emphasize that we need not fear when the time comes for us to give reasons for our faith, since the Holy Spirit will teach us what to say. I hope that we can also be reminded how this line is applicable for every single moment of encounter we have in our lives. Our words have so much influence in others that I think it makes sense for us to ask the Holy Spirit to guide our words each time.
Here are some points that I usually ask God, with regard to my words.
I pray that God will help me be sincere with my words. I offer communication training sessions and as part of what I do, I get the privilege to know the different communication techniques that also have impact on a person’s psychology. There are also words that help manage people’s emotions. What I realized is that people can sense the sincerity or insincerity beyond the communication technique used. People can feel if someone is using the technique to manipulate, or if they are being sincere. God is an excellent communicator and he is always sincere.
Next, I pray for charity. There are times that we definitely want to say something out of anger, or if we are frustrated. I pray for charity so I can choose the best words, and not succumb to the temptation to use the most hurtful words I know.
Also, I pray for me to be able to listen to the other person with an open heart and mind. Communication is both ways, and it involves active listening. Perhaps this is something that we might miss when we think of the quote in the Bible. I feel that it’s really not just about a one-way communication, but that the Holy Spirit helps us to be more of an active listener.
Finally, I pray that the Holy Spirit moves hearts in the conversation. At the end of the day, I have my limitations as a human being. So anything I lack, I entrust it to the Holy Spirit.
I pray that our words will be a source of life, enabled by the Holy Spirit.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Stephanie Villa)
Prayer: Dear Lord, please help me find it in my heart to be sincere and charitable.
Thanksgiving: Thank you, God, for giving life to words.
OXYGEN 
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