Searching for saints in Dieppe

Sts. Antoine Daniel and Jean de la Lande honoured

By TED FITZGERALD
Special to the WCR
Dieppe, France

A visitor, commenting that these -- Antoine Daniel and Jean de la Lande - were two of the eight Canadian martyrs honoured in many overseas churches, was immediately corrected by an elderly parishioner.

"These were in fact, not only French martyrs, but local Dieppois -- boys born and raised right here in this quiet Normandy seaport!"

Nevertheless, they are honoured here in Dieppe's principal parish - L'Eglise St. Jacques (St. James Church). The patron of Spain and of pilgrims, St. James the Greater is associated with the great religious site of Santiago de Compostela, and St. Jacques was a stop on one of the pilgrims' roads to the Spanish shrine.

It's not surprising then, that a large statue of the saint, bearing the staff of a pilgrim, occupies a place of honour behind the main altar.

The two young men, worshipping in the cavernous nave, were perhaps inspired by the saint's image to travel for their faith.

Exploring the great church is a delight.

Antoine Daniel died after celebrating Mass on July 4, 1648, deliberately delaying pursuit of his Huron flock by the attackers.

Thousands of sculpted low-relief figures that cover the walls of La Chapelle de la Vierge (Mary's Chapel) are best appreciated at the daily, well-attended 9:30 a.m. Masses in this largest, most ornate of the many chapels in the church.

Begun 800 years ago, St. Jacques had many additions and alterations until its completion in the 16th century. Newest features of the edifice are the High Gothic west front and bell tower.

And the young missionaries-to-be would be familiar with the sonorous bells of St. Jacques.

Antoine Daniel was born May 27, 1601 in the city and entered the Society of Jesus in Rouen at age 20. Attracted early to the overseas missions, he was ordained to the priesthood in 1630, travelled to Quebec and accompanied pioneer Father Jean de Brebeuf to Huronia on Georgian Bay.

His successful, 14-year mission ended when Iroquois destroyed his St. Joseph II at Teanaostae near Hillsdale, Ont. He died after celebrating Mass on July 4, 1648, deliberately delaying pursuit of his Huron flock by the attackers.

Canonized in 1930 by Pope Pius XI, the saint is honoured today with the other martyrs of Huronia at the Martyrs Shrine at Midland, Ont. It is a destination for thousands of pilgrims each year.

Jean de la Lande entered the Jesuits at age 19 as a donn‚ or lay volunteer to assist the missionary priests in the New World.

In 1646 he travelled south with Father Isaac Jogues from Quebec deep into Iroquois territory. Both are honoured at the site of their martyrdom (Oct. 18, 19, 1646) - the vanished Mohawk settlement of Ossernenon; near present-day Albany N.Y.

It is now a popular pilgrim destination -- the Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs.

St. Jacques was the venue for remembrance ceremonies on Aug. 19, 2002 connected with the 60th anniversary of the disastrous Operation Jubilee assault by Canadian troops on Dieppe's stony beach.

Those who fell there are honoured in modern stained glass windows in the church.

And on March 3, 2002, a new Dieppe Christian community was founded - Paroisse Saint-Antoine Daniel et Saint-Jean de la Lande.

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