In the 1600's, Jesuits of French origin did considerable missionary work among the natives of North America, chiefly in what is now Quebec, Ontario, and upper New York State. Eight of them were killed and would come to be known as the North American Martyrs...
Articles
Who are the North American Martyrs?
SS. Anthony Daniel, Charles Garnier, Noel Chabanel, Isaac Jogues, John Lalande, John de Brebeuf, Gabriel Lalemant, & Rene Goupil
An Explanation of the Baptismal Ceremonies
The ceremonies used by the Church in the traditional administration of Baptism are very ancient. St. Basil mentions many of them, which, he says, are of Apostolic tradition: the consecration of the water, and of the oil used in the anointings, the renunciation of Satan and his works, and the profession of faith. St. Augustine mentions the sign of the Cross, the imposition of hands, and the custom of giving salt to the catechumens...
A Brief Instruction on the Sacrament of Penance
Penance is a Sacrament instituted by Jesus Christ, in which, by the ministry of the priest, actual sins are forgiven, and the conscience is released from the bonds by which it may be bound. In this Sacrament, also, the eternal punishment due to sin is remitted, and a part or the whole of the temporal punishment, according to the disposition of the penitent...
In Preparation for a Sick Call
The Viaticum is the Holy Eucharist administered with the intention of preparing the sick for death. This Blessed Sacrament is indeed the Bread of Life, of which every good Christian frequently partakes during health; but when the soul is about to pass from the body there arises a new and peculiar obligation of receiving it. This obligation is founded on the abundant graces which this holy Sacrament, above all the rest, is capable of imparting, and which are at that time so necessary.
