Father Isaac Jogues: Biography

Life Before New France

Isaac Jogues was born January 10, 1607, in Orleans, France. He entered the Jesuit college in 1617 (age 10), and completed his studies seven years later. He could have entered the world of law, or business, but instead chose to enter into the Jesuit order. He made first vows in 1826. He was an excellent student, and could have remained in the intellectual world. Jogues, however, wanted to become a missionary. He was ordained in 1636, and said his first mass in his hometown, several weeks later, he began his journey to New France. “The young priest, concluding his training, felt himself ever more deeply committed to his religious and missionary vocation. He detached himself from every worldly preoccupation...” (Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online, http://www.biographi.ca/EN/ShowBio.asp?BioId=34425, University of Toronto, 2000)

Life in New France

Jogues arrived in to New France after eight weeks at sea. He finally landed at his destination- the three rivers, near the middle of September. Upon landing he quickly caught the fever. Father Jogues was put in charge of building a new fort, at Saint Marie Falls, in 1641.

On August 2, 1642, Jogues was captured, with forty others, by the Iroquois. He remained in captivity for over a year. Through Dutch traders he returned to Europe in November, 1843. Upon his return to France in January 1844, he rested, and requested a papal indult. His hands had been mutilated by the Iroquois, and without the indult he could not celebrate mass (he received the indult). He returned to New France in July. His return was the first news that his fellow missionaries heard of his torture and release. Even after his torture by the Iroquois, he specifically requested to be sent to them to continue his missionary work, he was instead assigned to Ville-Marie. He worked among the Mohawk and Huron during the next two years. He was sent to spend winter with the Huron in September 1646. On the journey to the village they were captured by Iroquois, who believed the Jesuits caused the epidemics that had wiped out numerous natives. October 18, 1646, Isaac Jogues was killed by the Iroquois.

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