The Jesuit Martyrs of Virginia

Have you ever heard of the Jesuit Martyrs of Virginia? These eight Jesuits — two priests, three brothers, and three novices — should be better known. Their martyrdom took place in 1571, almost thirty years after that of the Franciscan who is supposed to be our American protomartyr, Father Juan Padilla (I say “supposed” because there are not sufficient details known of Fray Juan’s death to lend certitude to this title).

Here is a very short version of the story of the Jesuit Martyrs of Virginia:

In 1561, the Spanish discovered Chesapeake Bay and took an Indian boy, Paquiquineo, to Spain, where he converted to Christianity, becoming known as Don Luis de Velasco. In 1570, Don Luis returned with Jesuit missionaries led by Father Juan Bautista de Segura. Tragically Don Luis abandoned Catholicism and returned to heathen ways. On February 4, 1571, he and other Indians killed three missionaries who tried to win him back to the faith of his baptism. On February 9, they killed the remaining missionaries. A boy who accompanied the missionaries, Alonso, escaped. Some months later, the crew of a Spanish supply ship discovered the murders but were unable to rescue Alonso. Eighteen months later, Spaniards arrived from Cuba to rescue Alonso and mete out justice. Twelve Indians were tried; seven were hanged, but Don Luis was never found.

Here is a list of the martyrs:

1. Father Juan Bautista de Segura
2. Father Luis de Quiros
3. Brother Gabriel Gomez
4. Brother Sancho Zeballos
5. Brother Pedro Linares
6. Novice Gabriel de Solis
7. Novice Juan Bautista Mendez
8. Novice Cristobal Redondo

You can read more on these two sites:

• Jesuit martyrs were killed by Indians in Virginia in 1571, by John F. Fink (a fairly short telling, but well done)
• Spanish Martyrs for Virginia, by Matthew M. Anger (a longer telling, with references for further reading)

All ye Jesuit martyrs of Virginia, pray for us!