St. Rene Goupil

Biography of St. Rene Goupil

St. Rene Goupil was a French Jesuit missionary, born in 1608 in Anjou, France. He was the son of a wealthy farmer, but he chose to leave behind his comfortable life and dedicate himself to the service of God and the spread of the Gospel.

Goupil joined the Society of Jesus in 1642 and was ordained a priest in 1645. After completing his formation, he was sent to New France (now Canada) as a missionary. He arrived in Quebec in 1649, and he quickly set about learning the languages of the Huron and Algonquin peoples, so that he could communicate with them and share the message of the Gospel.

Goupil was a dedicated and effective missionary, and he quickly gained the respect and affection of the Indigenous people. He ministered to the physical and spiritual needs of the Huron and Algonquin people and taught them the Catholic faith. He also assisted the French colonizers in establishing a colony in Canada and in their relations with the Indigenous people.

Despite the success of his mission, Goupil’s time in New France was not without difficulties. He faced many dangers, including attacks by hostile Iroquois, harsh living conditions, and the spread of disease among the Indigenous people. Goupil himself suffered from poor health and often struggled to carry on his work.

Despite these challenges, Goupil persevered in his mission, and he was eventually martyred for his faith. In September 1642, Goupil was killed by Huron converts because of the misunderstanding, he was mistaken as a spy.

Goupil’s death was deeply mourned by the Indigenous people and the French colonists alike. His sacrifice was seen as a powerful testimony to the strength of his faith and his love for the Indigenous people.

Goupil was beatified by Pope Pius XI in 1925 and canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1984. St. Rene Goupil is remembered as one of the North American Martyrs, a group of Jesuit priests and laypeople who were martyred in the 17th century while serving as missionaries among the Indigenous peoples of North America.

St. Rene Goupil is remembered as a model of courage, dedication and self-sacrifice, his example of dedication to mission and the spread of Christianity continues to inspire many around the world. Today, he is venerated as a patron of the Indigenous people and of Canada.

Prayers to St. Rene Goupil

O Saint Rene Goupil, you are known for your dedication to serving the sick and the marginalized. We ask for your intercession as we strive to live a life of compassion and service. Grant us the courage and generosity to follow your example, and to be a help and support for those in need. Amen.

---

Dear Saint Rene Goupil, your life was marked by humility and devotion to God’s will. We ask for your guidance and help as we strive to live our own lives with integrity and faithfulness. Help us to hear and follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit in our lives, just as you did, and to be a source of comfort and healing for those around us. Through your intercession, may we be able to imitate your selfless love and devotion to God. Amen.

St. Rene Goupil is the patron saint of:

Anesthesiology

Rene Goupil was a French-Canadian layman and missionary who is venerated as a martyr by the Catholic Church. He was born in 1608 and joined the Society of Jesus as a lay brother in 1640. He was sent to New France (now Canada) as a missionary, and he worked among the Huron people for several years. In 1642, he was killed by a Huron warrior while attempting to administer the sacrament of baptism to a sick Huron. He is considered to be the first martyr of the North American missions.

St. Rene Goupil is considered the patron saint of anesthesiology because he is said to have been the first known lay person to use anesthesia during surgical procedures. He used tobacco to help ease the pain of surgery among the Huron people, and he was also known to have used it as a pain reliever during the administration of the sacrament of baptism.

The feast day of St Rene Goupil is October 19th.

Popular St. Rene Goupil Medal and St. Rene Goupil Rosary

Saints Similar to St. Rene Goupil

You may also be interested in reading the Biography of St. Remigius of Reims. St. Rene Goupil and St. Remigius of Reims were both associated with missionary work and the early Church. Next up: Biography of St. Richard

 

Also check out our handmade St. Rene Goupil Medal and St. Rene Goupil Rosary and St. Rene Goupil Rosary Bracelet .