Charles Garnier, a Jesuit missionary, was born in 1606 in Paris, France. His mother was Anne de Garault and his father was Jean Garnier, the treasurer of Normandy. Charles Garnier was educated at Louis-le-Grand College in Paris. In 1624 he joined the Jesuits and continued his studies at Clermont college. He taught at the Jesuit college at Eu for three years, and was ordained in 1635.

In 1636 Garnier was sent to Canada with Father Pierre Chastellain. They arrived in Quebec in June, and in July, Garnier set out for the Huron missions, arriving in Ihonatiria on August 12. One of his first experiences there was seeing the torture of an Iroquois captive. The horror of it remained with him the rest of his life. During Garnier's first year a smallpox epidemic plagued the forts, and he was one of those stricken. Throughout his years in Canada, he worked to convert the Tionontati nation. In 1646 they asked for missionaries, and Garnier was sent to work among them. After the martyrdom of Fathers Brébeuf and Lallemant, Garnier calmly waited for his turn. On December 7, 1649, Garnier was murdered by a war party of Iroquois during the massacre at St. Johns village. He was canonized in 1930 by Pope Pius XI as one of the North American Martyrs.

Source: Charles Garnier James McGivern, S.J.