Shreveport Martyrs

They are (listed in the order of their deaths): Isidore Quémerais of Pleine-Fougères, Jean Pierre of Lanloup, Jean-Marie Biler of Plourivo, Louis Gergaud of Heric, and Francois Le Vézouët of Brélidy.

During a large-scale epidemic of yellow fever, the city of Shreveport lost one-quarter of its population within twelve weeks, from August 21 to November 18, 1873.

[1] The original humanitarian response was led by Jean Pierre, pastor of Holy Trinity Catholic Church (Shreveport, Louisiana), and his assistant, Isidore Quémerais.

[3] In December 2020, Francis Malone of the Diocese of Shreveport recognized the five priests as Servants of God, thereby beginning the Diocesan phase of inquiry for the Cause of Beatification and Canonization.

[5] The Cause for Beatification and Canonization for the Shreveport Martyrs is based upon the 2017 motu proprio of Pope Francis entitled Maiorem Hac Dilectionem (No Greater Love),[6] which provided a new way forward for beatification for those who, “inspired by charity, have heroically offered their life for their neighbour, freely and voluntarily accepting certain and untimely death in their determination to follow Jesus.