Among the martyrs of the Roman Catholic Church, there have always been committed lay people who have worked closely with priests and vowed religious and have paid the ultimate price because of their shared commitment to spreading the Gospel in hostile and unwelcoming territory. Two of the Jesuit Martyrs of North America were young laymen who offered their services to the Jesuits of New France. One is St. René Goupil, a surgeon; the other is St. Jean de Lalande. Both were referred to as donnés.
Donnés were a group of exemplary Christians who voluntarily bound themselves to serve the Jesuits of New France for life in whatever capacity and place the Jesuit superior might assign them. They brought their practical skills to the works in New France. Donnés shared the dangers, hardships and fatigues of the Jesuits. One Jesuit in New France wrote to his Superior General saying that without the donnés, “this mission would collapse.” The missionaries spoke of their selfless service, personal holiness and complete loyalty. St. Charles Garnier described them as “laymen in dress, religious in heart.”
Jean de LaLande was born in Dieppe, France. Although we do not know his year of birth, the Jesuit Relations from New France describe him as a “young man.” They also indicate that he was in the colony several years. He helped at the Jesuit residence in Three Rivers for a few years. The major thing we know about LaLande is that he accompanied Fr. Isaac Jogues to the Mohawk Mission in 1646.
Jogues was a trusted envoy to the Mohawk lands, trying to protect the precarious peace of the time. LaLande joined the delegation, fully aware that he might encounter suffering, but gladly offering himself as a companion to Jogues and looking to God to protect him and to be his reward if the sacrifice of his life was demanded. Commitment and steadfastness were dominant characteristics of this young man. He stayed with Fr. Jogues even when the situation became difficult.
For some reason, the Mohawks had turned sour towards the peace process and attacked the delegation. Jogues and LaLande were captured and “beaten, robbed, stripped naked and led to the next village.” There was division among the Mohawk clans about what to do with the prisoners. They were eventually released, but at Ossernenon (Auriesville, NY) they were attacked by fanatical members of the Bear clan who disagreed with the others.
LaLande witnessed the martyrdom of Jogues on October 18, 1646. He himself was martyred on the following day. He was canonized with the other Jesuit Martyrs on June 29, 1930. His feast day is September 26 in Canada and October 19 in the USA.
Recalling the commitment of LaLande helps us reflect on the significance of donnés. The actual option of the donné no longer exists, but the same spirit is found today in the many short-term and lifelong opportunities for men and women to serve as volunteers or associates, working alongside priests and vowed religious women and men. These vocations are in keeping with the universal call to holiness that was stressed by the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council.
Among the many examples of groups that ask for a temporary commitment are the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and the associates of many orders of Roman Catholic Sisters. A typical Jesuit Volunteer is a recent graduate from university who commits to two years as a Volunteer.
Let us pray through the intercession of St. Jean de LaLande for our young people, that they may be motivated to use their zeal, energy and talents in the service of God’s people.