1571 Spanish Jesuit Martyrs of Virginia

Join Fr. Andrew Fisher and William Newton at the CIC for a discussion of the little known history of the Spanish Jesuit Martyrs of Virginia. This program will be offered on Thursday, September 24 at 6:00 PM. Register to attend either in-person and virtually through a livestream.

Who were these Spanish missionaries who arrived in Virginia several decades prior—37 years—to the earliest English Settlement of Jamestown? They arrived in September 1570 to proclaim the Gospel. They built the first Christian Chapel in Virginia and celebrated the first recorded Mass and baptism. But within a few months, all but one was killed.

Following his rescue, the lone survivor told the story of these heroic martyrs and their attempt to evangelize the indigenous people. Today these eight Jesuits martyrs are now included among a larger group of 59 martyrs known as the Martyrs of La Florida, whose cause of canonization is under consideration in Rome.

September 24th Schedule:

• 5:45 pm: Doors open for registrant check-in
• 6:00 pm: “1571 Spanish Jesuit Martyrs of Virginia” (this portion of the evening will be offered both in-person and virtually)
• 7:00 pm: Light happy hour social
• 8:00 pm: Evening Concludes

RSVP today!