Prayer to Saint Roque González and companions — martyrs of the reductions

Jesuit priest born in Asunción (Paraguay) in 1576, the first saint born in that land. Speaking the Guaraní language, he founded several reductions — Christian communities that protected the natives from enslavement by the slave-hunters. Together with his Jesuit companions Saint John del Castillo and Saint Alphonsus Rodríguez, he was martyred in November 1628, at the reduction of Caaró (today in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil). Beatified by Pius XI in 1934, they were canonised by Pope Saint John Paul II in Asunción on 16 May 1988 — the first martyrs of South America to be raised to the honour of the altars. Feast: 17 November.

O God, who gave to the holy martyrs Roque González, John del Castillo and Alphonsus Rodríguez the grace to proclaim the Gospel to the Guaraní peoples and to defend them, even to the shedding of blood, from the injustice that enslaved them: grant to the Church of Latin America their missionary zeal and their courage in defence of the little ones and the poor; and make of us, through their intercession, builders of communities where the justice and peace of your Kingdom may reign. Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be.