St. Isaac Jogues suffered more than mere death as a martyr, just like Christ he was tortured for the faith. As such, Isaac was an inspiration for those of us who suffer.
His suffering came as a result of spiritual warfare. He faced the demons with the faith and determination of St. Paul but with the help of Christ on the cross defeated them.
"How often on the stately trees of the forests did I carve the most sacred name
of Jesus, so that, seeing it, the demons might fly, who tremble when they hear
it!" said Saint Jogues in 1643. "How often, too, did I strip off the bark to
form the most Holy Cross of the Lord, so that the foe might fly before it; and
that by it, Thou, O Lord, my King, 'might reign in the midst of thy enemies'
(Psalms 109:2), the enemies of thy Cross (Philippians 3:18), the
disbeliever and the pagan who dwell in that land, and the demons who rule so
fearfully there!"
Another saint
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