About St. Mary (North American Martyrs Parish) · East Hartford, Connecticut
St. Mary (North American Martyrs Parish) in East Hartford, Connecticut, welcomes all people through the Gospel, the Sacraments, and vibrant liturgy. Services are held at St. Mary’s Church and St. Christopher Church, offering Mass in English and Spanish. The parish is rooted in the legacy of the North American Martyrs, including Saint Isaac Jogues, and serves a diverse community through ministries like Religious Education, Spanish Ministry, Youth Ministry, and outreach programs including a Clothing Bank, Food Bank, and Home Visitation & Healthcare.
- Patron
- North American Martyrs
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Hartford
Why belong here
Join a parish that nourishes faith through the Sacraments and vibrant liturgy, supports community through ministries like Religious Education and Spanish Ministry, and extends compassion through outreach programs including a Clothing Bank, Food Bank, and Home Visitation & Healthcare.
Mass times at St. Mary (North American Martyrs Parish)
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday from 2:45 PM – 3:30 PM at St. Christopher Church
About the North American Martyrs
The eight North American martyrs, also known as the Canadian Martyrs, the Jesuit Martyrs of North America or the Martyrs of France, included six priests and two lay brothers. They were heroic members of the Society of Jesus who were martyred in North America in order to bring the Faith that is necessary for salvation to the Huron, the Iroquois and the Mohawk Indians. Five of the eight North American martyrs were put to death in what is now Canada, and three of them in New York State. There is a shrine to the United States' martyrs at Auriesville in New York, and there is a shrine to the Canadian martyrs at Fort Saint Mary near Midland, Ontario. The names of the eight North American Martyrs are: Saint Rene Goupil, a lay brother martyred in 1642 in New York State, Saint Isaac Jogues, a priest, Saint John de Lalande, a lay brother, martyred in 1646 in New York State, Saint Anthony Daniel, a priest, martyred in Canada in 1648, Saint John de Brebeuf, Saint Charles Garnier, Saint Noel Chabanel and Saint Gabriel Lalemant, all priests, and all martyred in Canada in 1649. Saint Isaac Jogues, after thirteen months' imprisonment by the Mohawks, had several fingers cut off of his hand. He went back to Europe, but returned again to North America and was killed by tomahawk blows at Ossernenon, now called Auriesville, in New York State. Saint John de Brebeuf declared before he died, "I have a strong desire to suffer for Jesus Christ." He was tortured terribly, and a burning torch was put into his mouth, which strangled him. Saint Rene Goupil, thirty-five, was the youngest of the martyrs, and cried "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!" as he died. Saint Noel Chabanel was thirty-six, and Saint Isaac Jogues and Saint Gabriel Lalemant were thirty-nine. The oldest of the eight North American martyrs, Saint John de Brebeuf, was fifty-six when the Indians killed him. They were canonized June 29, 1930 by Pope Pius XI. Their memorial is October 19 in the U.S., and September 26 in Canada.
Ministries
- Spanish Ministry
- Youth Ministry
- Religious Education
- Music Ministry
- Consolation Ministry
- Women's Guild
- Clothing Bank
- Food Bank
- Home Visitation & Healthcare
Sacraments
Baptisms (English & Spanish) by appointment only. Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered regularly, with a Spanish-speaking priest available 30 minutes before all Spanish-speaking Masses.