Quote
“God will have a bit of explaining to do to me if I ever see him.”
–Jacqueline Kennedy, writing to her friend Father Joseph Leonard in January 1964, not long after her husband, U.S. President John F. Kennedy, was assassinated. The correspondence between Jacqueline Kennedy and Father Leonard — in which the former first lady admitted struggling with her faith after the tragedy — will be auctioned in Dublin in June. (Catholic News Service)
Profile
Dino and Rose Javier
Coordinators of youth ministry, St. Elizabeth Parish, Aiea
- Favorite church: St. Elizabeth
- Church song: Dino — “We Are One Body”; Rose — “Here I Am to Worship”
- Scripture quote: Dino — Psalm 23
- Food: Dino — fried pork
- Parable: Rose — The Prodigal Son
- Biblical character: Rose — Peter
- Most memorable priest: Rose — Father Bob Phelps
- Latest iPod download: Dino — “Give Me Faith” by Elevation Worship
Saints under 40
Passionate and persistent
St. Isaac Jogues met great suffering and great celebration during his decade of missionary work, but his focus always remained on ministering to people who ultimately would end his life.
Jogues, a Jesuit from France, sought to serve in the missions after reading accounts of missionaries abroad. After he was ordained in 1636, he was sent to New France (Canada) to work among the native peoples there.
He found success with the Hurons for a number of years, converting many amid the violent wars between that population and the Mohawks. In 1642 Jogues was captured by the Mohawks, whose severe torture led to the loss of two of his fingers.
A ransom from Dutch merchants freed the priest, who eventually landed back in France to much acclaim. Though he was lauded as a hero, Jogues was more focused on being able to celebrate Mass despite his mutilated hands. Pope Urban VIII granted him permission to do so, and later Jogues returned to New France to continue his work with the Mohawks.
The Mohawks did not warm to Jogues the second time around; rather, they blamed him for the disease and famine they were suffering and considered him a sorcerer. They killed and beheaded Jogues in 1646. He was 39. Jogues was canonized nearly 300 years later, in 1930, as one of the North American Martyrs. (www.ignatianspirituality.com)
