Scripture Readings

• First Reading: Wis 3:1-9

• Responsorial Psalm: Ps 126 (125):1bc-2ab, 2cd-3, 4-5, 6

• Alleluia Verse: cf. Te Deum

• Gospel: John 15:18-21

Reflection on Today’s Feast

By Mr. Wendell Laurent

Today we celebrate St. Jacques Berthieu, SJ (1838-1896), a French Jesuit priest martyred while evangelizing in Madagascar.

Born in 1838 to a simple farming family, Berthieu studied at seminary and was ordained a diocesan priest in 1864. He went on to serve at a local parish for nine years and had a thriving and well-developed prayer life grounded in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Discerning a call to become a missionary, he joined the Society in 1873.

Two years later, Jacques sailed to an island just off Madagascar where he studied the local language with several other Jesuits and some nuns. At the age of 37, he found the new climate and culture very challenging. He did what he could with his limited language and skills including starting a garden to help feed the missionary station and offering what pastoral service he could to the people there.

In 1881, the French government closed French territories to the Jesuits, so Jacques and the missionary team moved to the larger island of Madagascar, which was an independent kingdom. They built a church and began serving and teaching the people. Within a few years, the kingdom of Madagascar was at war with the French. Soon a revolt targeted Christians, who were seen as complicit with the colonizers. Jacques asked a French colonel to help protect the Christian community he was working with, but was refused because Jacques had criticized the colonel's treatment of the village women. The group fled instead, but were soon caught.

On 8 June 1896, Jacques was found, stripped, and beaten and eventually struck on his head by a machete. Wounded, he was marched some six miles to the village where he had been living, and was further tortured. His captors decided to kill him. Jacques knelt at the sight of the approaching gunmen, but they missed when they first fired at him. Jacques made the sign of the cross.

One approached him and offered to spare him if he gave up his faith--in fact, he promised to make Jacques their counselor. "I cannot consent to this," Jacques replied. "I prefer to die."

They fired again, missing once more. Jacques bowed his head in prayer and was finally killed. His body was dumped in the local river. He was 57.

Jacques Berthieu was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012.

St. Jacques Berthieu, missionary to Madagascar who preferred death to denying your faith, pray for us!

Mr. Wendell Laurent serves as the Vocation Team Coordinator for the USA East Jesuit Province.