So, no special reason to choose this Saint today. I just chose one from my list of potential posts.
St. Roque González de Santa Cruz was born in 1576 in Paraguay. He was the son of Spanish colonists of noble birth. Due to the large native population in the area, he spoke the native language, Guarani, fluently from an early age - as well as his native Spanish.
Roque was ordained to the priesthood in 1598 and joined the Jesuit order in 1609. At that time, he began his work as a missionary in what is now Brazil. He was the first European to enter the territory now known as the State of Rio Grande do Sul. Hi arrival in that area happened only after his developing delicate relationships of trust with local indigenous leaders. He founded many Jesuit reductions in the region. These were a type of settlement for indigenous people established by the Jesuit order (similar, I suppose, to the missions in California).
On November 15, 1628, while preparing to oversee the installation of a new bell for a church, Roque was struck down and killed with a tomahawk, along with a fellow Jesuit. This was done under the orders of the local chieftain, who opposed the missions. The bodies of the two Jesuits were dragged into the church, which was then set on fire.
St. Roque González' feast is commemorated on November 16, along with other Martyrs of the Rio de la Plata.
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