René Goupil
René Goupil was a French Jesuit lay missionary and surgeon who became a lay brother shortly before his death. He is venerated as the first North American Martyr of the Roman Catholic Church and the first canonized Catholic martyr in North America. Goupil is remembered for his martyrdom by a tomahawk blow to the head after ministering to the Huron missions.
- Feast Day
- September 29
- Century
- 17th century
- Country Or Region
- France
Key Facts
- ›René Goupil was born on may 15, 1608, in St-Martin-du-Bois, France.
- ›He worked as a surgeon in Orléans before joining the Society of Jesus in Paris on March 16, 1639.
- ›Goupil volunteered as a lay missionary and arrived in New France in 1640.
- ›He served at the Saint-Joseph de Sillery Mission, caring for the sick and wounded.
- ›He was captured by the Mohawk and martyred on September 29, 1642, at Ossernenon.
- ›Goupil was canonized by Pope Pius XI on June 29, 1930.
donné
Anesthetists
About René Goupil
René Goupil (May 15, 1608 – September 29, 1642) was a French Jesuit lay missionary, also known as a "donné" or "given one," who served in New France. Shortly before his death, he became a lay brother of the Society of Jesus. Goupil holds the distinction of being the first of the eight North American Martyrs to receive the crown of martyrdom and the first canonized Catholic martyr in North America.
Life and Ministry
Born and baptized in St-Martin-du-Bois, France, René Goupil was the son of Hippolite Goupil and Luce Provost. Before dedicating himself to missionary work, he practiced as a surgeon in Orléans. On March 16, 1639, he entered the novitiate of the Society of Jesus in Paris but had to leave due to deafness. He then volunteered to serve as a lay missionary, arriving in New France in 1640.
From 1640 to 1642, Goupil was stationed at the Saint-Joseph de Sillery Mission, near Quebec. His responsibilities included caring for the sick and wounded at the hospital, primarily through wound dressings and bloodlettings. In 1642, he embarked on a journey to the Huron missions with approximately forty other individuals, including Jesuit Father Isaac Jogues and several Huron chiefs. During this journey, they were captured by the Mohawk and taken to their village of Ossernenon, located about nine miles west of present-day Auriesville, New York.
Martyrdom and Veneration
In Ossernenon, Goupil and his companions endured torture. Goupil's martyrdom occurred on the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel, September 29, 1642. He was killed by a tomahawk blow to the head after teaching a Mohawk boy the sign of the cross. He died uttering the Holy Name of Jesus, a practice he had prepared for in case of martyrdom. Father Isaac Jogues was present and administered absolution to Goupil before Goupil's death. Before his martyrdom, Goupil had made religious vows as a Jesuit lay brother before Father Jogues. Many of the 24 Huron accompanying him, who were Catholic converts, also faced slow torture and death according to Iroquois ritual.
René Goupil is venerated as the first Jesuit martyr of Canada and one of three martyrs from the present-day United States territory. He was canonized on June 29, 1930, by Pope Pius XI, alongside the other seven Canadian Martyrs, collectively known as the North American Martyrs. Goupil is also recognized as the patron saint of anesthetists. His memory is honored at Fordham University and the Catholic youth camp Camp Ondessonk.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was René Goupil?
René Goupil was a French Jesuit lay missionary and surgeon who served in New France. He became a lay brother of the Society of Jesus shortly before his death.
When and where was René Goupil martyred?
René Goupil was martyred on September 29, 1642, at Ossernenon, an easternmost Mohawk village, which is about 9 miles west of present-day Auriesville, New York.
How did René Goupil die?
René Goupil was killed by a blow to the head with a tomahawk. He died uttering the Holy Name of Jesus.
Why is René Goupil significant in Catholic history?
René Goupil is significant as the first of the eight North American Martyrs to receive the crown of martyrdom and the first canonized Catholic martyr in North America. He was canonized on June 29, 1930.
What is René Goupil the patron saint of?
René Goupil is the patron saint of anesthetists.
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