born March 25, 1593, Condé-sur-Vire, Normandy
died March 16, 1649, Saint-Ignace, New France; canonized 1930; feast day October 19
French Jesuit missionary to New France .
Ordained in 1623, he arrived in New France in 1625 to work as a missionary among the Huron . Forced out by the English in 1629, he returned to "Huronia" in 1634. In 1648 the Iroquois began their war against the Huron, and in 1649 they captured Brébeuf and tortured him to death. His writings include historical narratives and a Huron grammar. He is regarded as the patron saint of Canada.