René Goupil facts for kids
Quick facts for kids SaintRené Goupil SJ |
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North American Martyrs
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| Martyr | |
| Born | 15 May 1608 Saint-Martin-du-Bois, Anjou, Kingdom of France |
| Died | 29 September 1642 (aged 34) Ossernenon, New France |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church (Canada, United States) |
| Beatified | 21 June 1925, Vatican City by Pope Pius XI |
| Canonized | 29 June 1930, Vatican City, by Pope Pius XI |
| Major shrine | National Shrine of the North American Martyrs, Auriesville, New York, US |
| Feast |
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René Goupil (born May 15, 1608 – died September 29, 1642) was a French Jesuit missionary. He was a "donné," which means someone who gives himself to serve the Jesuit Fathers. He later became a lay brother in the Society of Jesus just before he died.
René Goupil was the first of the eight North American Martyrs to die for his faith. He was also the first Catholic martyr in North America to be made a saint.
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René Goupil's Early Life
René Goupil was born on May 15, 1608, in a town called St-Martin-du-Bois, near Angers, in France. His parents were Hippolite Goupil and Luce Provost.
Before he became a missionary, René worked as a surgeon in Orléans, France. In 1639, he joined the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits, to become a priest. However, he had to leave because he became deaf.
Serving as a Missionary
Even though he couldn't be a priest, René still wanted to help. He volunteered to be a lay missionary. This meant he could help the Jesuit Fathers without being a priest.
In 1640, René traveled to New France, which is now Canada. He worked at the Saint-Joseph de Sillery Mission near Quebec. His job was to take care of people who were sick or hurt at the hospital. He often helped by cleaning wounds and performing bloodlettings, which was a common medical practice back then.
Capture and Martyrdom
In 1642, René Goupil went on a trip to the Huron missions. He was with about 40 other people, including some Huron chiefs and another Jesuit, Father Isaac Jogues.
During their journey, they were captured by the Mohawk tribe. The Mohawk took them to their village called Ossernenon. This village was about 9 miles west of what is now Auriesville, New York.
A Heroic Death
The Mohawk treated their captives very harshly. René Goupil was killed on September 29, 1642. This day is known as the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel.
Before he died, René taught a Mohawk boy how to make the sign of the cross. This act angered some of the Mohawk. He was then struck on the head with a tomahawk. René died saying the Holy Name of Jesus, just as he had hoped to do if he ever became a martyr.
Father Jogues was there and was able to give René Goupil a special blessing before he passed away. Before his death, René had made his promises to become a Jesuit lay brother in front of Father Jogues. Many of the 24 Huron people with René were also Catholic converts. They were also treated very harshly by the Mohawk, who were their traditional enemies.
Becoming a Saint
René Goupil is honored as the first Jesuit martyr from Canada. He is also one of three martyrs from what is now the United States.
He was made a saint on June 29, 1930, by Pope Pius XI. He was canonized along with seven other people who are known as the Canadian Martyrs or "North American Martyrs." René Goupil is considered the patron saint of anesthetists, who are doctors that give medicine to make people sleep during surgery.
Honoring Saint René Goupil
There are places named after Saint René Goupil to remember him. At Fordham University in New York, one of the student dorms is called Martyrs' Court. It has three sections named after the three US martyr-saints: René Goupil, Isaac Jogues, and Jean Lalande.
René Goupil is also honored at a Catholic youth camp called Camp Ondessonk. One of the units at the camp is named after him.
See also
- Jesuit missions in Canada
- Sainte-Marie among the Hurons
- List of U.S. saints
- Roman Catholicism in the United States#American Catholic Servants of God, Venerables, Beatified, and Saints
- Christian martyrs
