This French Jesuit traveled to North America in 1636 to evangelize among the Huron Indians. In 1642, he was captured by Iroquois Indians and tortured, leaving his hands mutilated. Dutch settlers at Fort Orange (now Albany, N.Y.) helped him escape, but within three years he returned to the site of his captivity, now Auriesville. In 1646 he and St. John Lalande were tomahawked and beheaded by Mohawk Indians. They share their feast and a shrine at Auriesville with the other six Jesuit North American martyrs. See Page 7 for more on the Jesuit martyrs.Englishman spent time in France and Rome. On returning to England, he was put in charge of the Ripon monastery, then was appointed bishop of York. In two local controversies involving York, Wilfrid appealed to Roman Church courts. He was successful in the first case, but was imprisoned upon returning. In the second case, a compromise was reached. At the time of his death, he was presiding over the see of Hexham from Ripon. Wilfrid helped steer English Church discipline away from paganism toward Rome.
This French Jesuit traveled to North America in 1636 to evangelize among the Huron Indians. In 1642, he was captured by Iroquois Indians and tortured, leaving his hands mutilated. Dutch settlers at Fort Orange (now Albany, N.Y.) helped him escape, but within three years he returned to the site of his captivity, now Auriesville. In 1646 he and St. John Lalande were tomahawked and beheaded by Mohawk Indians. They share their feast and a shrine at Auriesville with the other six Jesuit North American martyrs. See Page 7 for more on the Jesuit martyrs.Englishman spent time in France and Rome. On returning to England, he was put in charge of the Ripon monastery, then was appointed bishop of York. In two local controversies involving York, Wilfrid appealed to Roman Church courts. He was successful in the first case, but was imprisoned upon returning. In the second case, a compromise was reached. At the time of his death, he was presiding over the see of Hexham from Ripon. Wilfrid helped steer English Church discipline away from paganism toward Rome.
