S JAMES BERTHIEU, SJ (1838-1896)

 Berthieu was born in France, as one of seven children. As you youth, he felt a strong calling to serve God and he joined the Jesuits at the age 35. Just two years later, 

    he joined a Jesuit mission to Madagascar. His talent and zeal made him a favourite in the order and he was soon appointed to be the Superior of mission in Ambositra in 1885. 

    Working from his mission, Berthieu grew the faith, inviting many of the locals to God. However, his mission became increasingly hostile to French influence in the region. 

    The hostility eventually grew so that the mission had to be repeatedly moved. Eventually, moving the mission was not enough and in 1896, Berthieu was kidnapped during a rebellion. 

    He had many chances to flee before being captured and possibly after, but he would not consider it, preferring instead to remain on task, 

    shepherding as many of the people as he could toward Christ. On June 8, he was presented to a rebel leader who offered him a position as an advisor. 

    Berthieu refused this honour. After refusing, he was then given only seconds to choose between renouncing his faith and being put to death. 

    He was beatified by Pope Paul V in 1965 and canonized by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012.





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