The superior of the Jesuits in New France wrote to the Jesuit General in Rome, in March 1649. He describes Fr. Anthony Daniel, a Jesuit who had served in New France and was attacked and killed in July 1648: “a man of great courage and endurance, whose gentle kindness was conspicuous among his great virtues.” St. Anthony Daniel was the second to be martyred among the eight Jesuit Martyrs of North America, the first of the group to die in Huronia.

Anthony Daniel was born 27 May 1601 at Dieppe, in Normandy. After studies in philosophy and law, he entered the Society of Jesus in 1621 and was ordained in 1629. During his studies, Jesuit missionaries who had served in New France inspired him. He wanted to imitate their strength and courage in dealing with the rigours of missionary life and separation from European civilization.

He offered himself and was sent to New France in 1632. He had a brief stay in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. The Jesuits began a short-lived presence to the French and Mi’kmaq in the area in 1611, the 400th anniversary of which is being celebrated by the Canadian Jesuits in 2011.

After Cape Breton, Daniel was assigned to the mission in the Huron region, until facing a martyr’s death fourteen years later. Before journeying to work with the Hurons, he studied their language. His fluency helped with his ministry, giving him ease in instructing the native children in the rudiments of the faith. There were two years of running a school in Quebec for the natives, but most of his years in New France were spent in Huronia, especially at Teanaostayé, in Simcoe County, Ontario.

On July 2, 1648, Fr. Daniel returned to Teanaostayé after making his annual retreat at Ste. Marie, the central home of the missionaries in Huronia. He seems to have received some premonition of what was to come, for he refused to take a day of rest after the retreat. Instead, he returned to his mission with a sense of urgency. He urged his people to be spiritually prepared for death.

Two days later, on July 4, the Iroquois made a sudden attack on the mission, taking advantage of the Huron braves being away on a trading trip. Immediately upon hearing of the attackers’ approach, Daniel attended to the spiritual needs of the women, children, and old men. He gave absolution to those gathered in the village church and baptized those under instruction. He also went through the village, comforting the dying and warning people to hurry away. He made no effort to escape.

As a matter of fact, he calmly advanced toward the enemy – silent and unarmed. They were amazed, and probably feared that the priest would attack or flee, but then they recovered themselves and attacked with their arrows and bullets. Daniel’s lifeless body was stripped and battered, and thrown into the burning chapel. This act on his part succeeded in creating a life-saving diversion, giving over a thousand of the Hurons time to escape from the invaders. Every minute that the Iroquois spent dealing with Daniel and his dead body were precious, allowing the Hurons to get further to safety.

Daniel’s death has been compared to the Gospel image of the Good Shepherd giving his life for his flock. Fr. Paul Ragueneau, Daniel’s superior, speaks of this brave man and sums up his final acts: “Thus delaying the enemy, he was serviceable to his escaping flock even after his death.” He goes on: “Antoine had just finished his fourteenth year at this Huron mission, everywhere a useful man, and assuredly raised up for the salvation of those tribes … True, his death was sudden, but did not find him unprepared, for he had always lived that he was ever ready for death.” Ragueneau writes of Daniel’s “divine strength” and says that he “burned with a zeal for God more intense than any flame that consumed his body.”

St. Anthony Daniel is celebrated with the other Martyrs on September 26 in Canada and October 19 in the U.S.A. His name lives on in the many parishes and schools that are named for him.  St. Anthony Daniel, pray for us!