On November 4th, St. Thomas à Becket Church welcomed the faithful for a special celebration centered on the relics of St. Kateri Tekakwitha and St. Jean de Brébeuf. The event offered parishioners a unique opportunity to reflect on the lives, witness, and enduring presence of these saints, as highlighted in the homily by Fr. John O’Brien, SJ.

Fr. O’Brien reminded the congregation that the communion of saints remains close and active, continuing the mission they began during their earthly lives. Through their ministry, their devotion to following Christ, and their acts of healing and reconciliation, the saints continue to inspire and guide the faithful today.

St. Jean de Brébeuf, one of the Canadian Martyrs, was recognized for his extraordinary courage and dedication. Surrounded by companions who shared his zeal for God, Brébeuf devoted his life entirely to the mission entrusted to him, ultimately witnessing to Christ through his martyrdom. Fr. O’Brien emphasized that all baptized Christians are called to a similar witness in their own vocations, whether through action, service, or quiet perseverance. In this sense, each of us can become a “martyr” by living our faith fully and generously.

The homily also highlighted the joy and peace evident in the lives of the saints. Despite the hardships they endured, their hearts were filled with God’s love—a love that surpasses all understanding. Their witness reminds the faithful that God is present in the everyday moments of life and that true discipleship begins with love: recognizing the good, true, and beautiful in others and sharing it in the world.

St. Kateri Tekakwitha, though not a martyr, was celebrated for her life of prayer, humility, and small acts of service. Her devotion illuminates another form of discipleship: offering oneself in love for God and neighbor. Together, the lives of St. Kateri and St. Jean de Brébeuf reflect the full spectrum of callings in the Church—from missionary action to contemplative prayer—and encourage each of the faithful to find their place along that path.

The celebration concluded with the faithful gathered to pray before the relics and receive the Eucharist, nourished and strengthened to carry Christ into the world. It was a profound reminder that the saints are not distant figures of the past, but active intercessors whose example continues to inspire faith, hope, and love in the present day.
 

Maribel Mayorga
Director of Communications
Archdiocese of Montreal