Rouen's newest martyr

Rouen is France’s “other city” on the Seine. Charming and delightful, it’s the capital of Normandy, and it overflows with culture and history. Rouen’s venerable archdiocese was founded in the third century by Nicasius, a disciple of the Parisian martyr St. Denis. Its cathedral, consecrated in 1063, is among the most magnificent in Europe. The archdiocese has ties to the American and Canadian Churches — its archbishop once had jurisdiction over New France, so at one time its cathedral was mother church for much of North America. It’s famously depicted as the subject of Claude Monet’s Rouen Cathedral series, in which the Impressionist captured its façade during different times and seasons. Rouen’s cathedral serves today as something an icon of France’s suffering through the ages. After all, it’s survived the French Wars of Religion and the French Revolution, as well as the city’s bombing during World War II’s Invasion of Normandy. Richard the Lionheart’s heart is buried there, too, which hearkens back to the days the city was jostled about during wars between Catholic monarchs in Europe. Perhaps most significantly, the city served as the backdrop for St. Joan of Arc’s mock trial and burning in 1431. The story of the young martyr is harrowing to say the least. The peasant girl turned military genius was inspired by a series of heavenly visions to fight for the return to the throne of the “Most Christian King,” a title for the French monarch given by Rome to illustrate that monarchy’s unique relationship with the Church. Joan was put to death for the false charge of heresy, vindicated posthumously as she was. Her witness to suffer patiently for the Faith has inspired countless Christians in subsequent generations. Something of the quintessential French heroine, she was canonized in 1920. Joan’s memory looms large in the Church today, most certainly in the city of Rouen. All throughout the city — from gift shops and museums to churches — one quickly learns of the city’s role in the story of Joan of Arc. A pilgrim can walk in Joan’s footsteps. There are sites she might’ve seen during her imprisonment there or on the way to her death. Arriving at the location where Joan was burned at the stake, you’ll find a modern shrine. There is a separation between then and now, though, best seen in retracing her steps to the place of her death from the city-center. Today most commemorate that horrific journey of pain and tears to the stake in a most commercial way — by stopping in at the Auzou Chocolat shop in Old Town Rouen and purchasing chocolate-covered almonds dubbed the “Tears of Joan of Arc.” New tears were shed in Rouen today, however. An octogenarian priest was murdered less than 6 miles south of town by Islamic radicals connected to ISIS. He was celebrating morning Mass at his parish in the small town of Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray. Obviously, this martyrdom is different than Joan’s. Father Jacques Hamel was no military leader, and he, as far as we know, wasn’t known for heavenly visions. He wasn’t a polarizing figure, nor publicly put on trial. He was just doing what he’s done every day since he was ordained in 1958 — celebrating Mass in his parish church. It is this “new” martyrdom that threatens Christians and so many others in the face of increasing violence by Muslim extremists. While Rouen has seen its share of sadness and tragedy through the years, none perhaps as tragic as what happened today. Let the memory of Rouen’s new martyr, like that of her most famous, never be forgotten. And may his sacrifice, like Joan of Arc’s, inspire Christians for generations to come. Michael Heinlein is editor of The Catholic Answer magazine. He writes from Indiana.