Joseph Chiwatenhwa
Joseph Chiwatenhwa (spelled "Chihwatenhaw" in some sources) is among the first believers of the indigenous peoples of
Biography
The Jesuits established their first missions in Canada in the early decades of the 1600s and were assisted in Huronia by a number of new believers, among whom were Joseph Chiwatenhwa and his wife Marie Aonnetta, in addition to his brother Joseph and other members of the family, all of whom "lived and witnessed to their faith in a heroic manner."[2] Chiwatenhwa was deeply moved by the Christian teachings of the Jesuit missionaries in 1636 when he first encountered them, despite the fact that others of his Huron tribe blamed these missionaries for the epidemics that had broken out in Huron lands.[3]
Chiwatenhwa himself fell sick; after his recovery, however, he was baptized, on August 16, 1637, by
Joseph Chiwatenhwa sensed that he might eventually be killed for his faith and love for Jesus Christ. He was martyred on 2 August 1640, aged 38.
After Joseph's martyrdom his family continued in the service of Christ in collaboration with the Jesuits, and more members of the Huron nation were baptized into the Catholic Church. Chiwatenhwa may be beatified “oblatio vitae,” or free offering of one’s life. A miracle attributed to his intercession would have to be documented for his cause for canonization.[5]
See also
References
- ^ Henry, Bruce. "Friends of God". Wyandot. Anishinabe Spiritual Centre. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
- ^ a b Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops 2010
- ^ Bosco, Antoinette (1961). Joseph the Huron. New York: P. J. Kenedy & Sons (published 12 August 1961).
- ^ Trigger, Bruce G. "Biography - Chihwatenha". Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
- ^ a b Smith, Peter J. (20 September 2017). "America's first paths of holiness: Lives of indigenous saints and martyrs". Angelus News. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
- ^ "Apostolic Journey to Canada". The Holy See. 15 September 1984.