John de Brebeuf (1593-1694), Isaac Jogues (1607-1646) and their six companions were Jesuit missionaries, originally from France, who dedicated their lives to preaching the Gospel among the indigenous peoples of North America. They were killed between the years 1642 and 1649. Brebeuf was captured by the Iroqouis, fastened to a stake, tortured to death and then partly eaten, near Midland, Ontario Canada on 16 March 1648.
Jogues had already suffered slavery and mutilation during his missionary work, but returned to Canada from France. He was seized by the Mohawks, who thought he was a sorcerer, and tomahawked near Auriesville New York on 18 Oct 1646. – CTS New Daily Roman Missal 2012, p 3079; Christian Prayer 1990, p 1260
Paul of the Cross (Paolo Francesco Danei) was born in Piedmont Italy in 1694. As a young man he helped his father who was a merchant. Following a spiritual conversion, he founded a congregation of missioners with a special devotion to the Lord’s passion and death (the Passionists) in caring for the poor and the sick. The first house was founded on Monte Argentario and, despite facing many problems, there were twelve Passionist ‘retreats’ (community houses) by the time of his death in Rome on 18 Oct 1775, as well as a community of sisters. He had a special interest in England and regularly prayed for its conversion. – CTS New Daily Roman Missal 2012, p 3081; Christian Prayer 1990, p 1260
Timothy Giaccardo was born in Narzole (Piedmont), Italy, on 13 June 1896. As a boy, he met Fr James Alberione and entered the seminary of Alba. Sensitive to the needs of the times and open to the new instruments of evangelisation, in 1917 he transferred, with the consent of his bishop, from the seminary of Alba to the newly-born Society of St. Paul. He was the first Pauline priest. In January 1926, he was sent to Rome to initiate the Congregation’s first branch house. In 1936, he returned to Alba to fill the position of superior of the Motherhouse. Vicar General of the Society of St Paul, faithful collaborator of the Founder, he tirelessly worked on behalf of the Pauline congregations, assisting in their birth and spiritual/apostolic development. Offering his life in order that the Congregation of the Pious Disciples of the Divine Master might receive official recognition by the Church, he died in Rome on 24 January 1948. He was proclaimed “Blessed” on 22 October 1989. – paoline.org