Jacques Salès

Who they were

Jacques Salès was a French Jesuit priest from Lezoux, in the Diocese of Clermont. He studied at Billom, Paris, Verdun and Pont-à-Mousson, was ordained in 1585 and taught theology at Pont-à-Mousson and Tournon, and asked more than once to be sent on mission to the Americas or Asia. He had a special love for the Eucharist.

Sent to preach at Aubenas, in the Diocese of Viviers, he was seized there by armed Calvinists in February 1593 with his companion Brother Guillaume Saultemouche. After defending Catholic teaching, above all on the Eucharist, he was shot and stabbed to death on 7 February 1593, aged about thirty-seven. He and Guillaume are called the martyrs of the Eucharist.

The miracles

As a martyr he was raised to the altars without a miracle.

Why that counted as sanctity

A Jesuit theologian killed at Aubenas for defending the Catholic faith in the Eucharist.

Connected on this site

• Wilhelm Saultemouche Blessed
  “As companion to Father Jacques Salès at Aubenas, he was seized with him by Calvinists and, on 7 February 1593, embraced the dying priest and was himself stabbed to death, calling on the name of Christ.” — this site's research