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Antoine Daniel founded first boys College in North America (Quebec 1635), laboured in Huronia for twelve years. Brébeuf wrote of him, “I never saw one more resolute to start out for Huronia even when he was told he might lose his life on the way.” He mastered the language and dreamed of forming future catechists among the Hurons who would instruct other members of their tribe. Finishing his annual retreat at Ste. Marie July 2, 1648, he left for his mission at St. Joseph, twelve miles away. Two days later, he had just finished saying Mass when the Mission was attacked by the Iroquois. Fr. Daniel encouraged the converts to meet death as Christians should; he hastily baptized all he could and went out to face the enemy. His body was pierced with arrows and bullets. The Iroquois set fire to the Chapel and threw his body into the flames. He was martyred at Mount St. Louis, 12 miles from Ste. Marie at the age of 48, on July 4th, 1648.
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North America
