Missionaries & Clergy in New France

Religious orders played a crucial role in the French colonial project in North America, focusing on converting Indigenous peoples to Christianity and providing essential services to the colonists. The Company of One Hundred Associates’ charter explicitly mentioned the goal of converting Indigenous peoples to Catholicism.

Jesuits (Society of Jesus)

The Jesuits became the most influential religious order in New France, focusing on missionary work among Indigenous nations.

Father Paul Le Jeune (1591-1664)

Superior of the Jesuit mission in New France from 1632 to 1639. He established the missionary strategy of learning Indigenous languages and living among the people they sought to convert. Le Jeune was the primary author of many of the early Jesuit Relations, annual reports sent back to France detailing missionary activities and observations about Indigenous cultures.[1]

Father Jean de Brébeuf (1593-1649)

One of the most famous Jesuit missionaries, Brébeuf worked among the Huron (Wendat) from 1626 to 1629 and again from 1634 to 1649. He became highly proficient in the Wendat language, compiling a dictionary and grammar. Brébeuf established the mission of Sainte-Marie among the Hurons. He was captured, tortured, and killed by the Iroquois in 1649 during the Beaver Wars and was later canonized as a saint.[2]

Father Charles Garnier (1606-1649)

Worked among the Huron and Petun peoples from 1636 until his death in 1649 during an Iroquois attack on the mission of Saint-Jean. He was known for his linguistic abilities and deep commitment to his mission.[3]

Father Isaac Jogues (1607-1646)

Served in Huronia before being captured, tortured, and mutilated by Mohawks in 1642. After escaping to France, he voluntarily returned to North America and was killed during a peace mission to Mohawk territory. Jogues was canonized as one of the North American Martyrs.[4]

Father Gabriel Lalemant (1610-1649)

Arrived in New France in 1646 and joined Brébeuf in Huronia. He was captured alongside Brébeuf and tortured to death by the Iroquois in 1649. His detailed account of spiritual exercises became influential in Jesuit practice.[5]

Father Antoine Daniel (1601-1648)

Worked in Huronia from 1634 until his death during an Iroquois attack on the mission of Saint-Joseph in 1648. He was one of the first Jesuits to be killed during the Iroquois raids.[6]

Father Jérôme Lalemant (1593-1673)

Superior of the Jesuit mission in New France from 1639 to 1644 and again from 1659 to 1665. He reorganized the Huron mission, centralizing it at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons. As the author of many Jesuit Relations, his writings provide valuable historical documentation of the period.[7]

Father François-Joseph Bressani (1612-1672)

Italian Jesuit who served in New France from 1642 to 1650. He was captured and tortured by the Iroquois in 1644 but was ransomed by Dutch colonists and returned to the mission field after recovery.[8]

Father Jacques Buteux (1600-1652)

Worked primarily at Trois-Rivières and conducted missionary work among the Atikamekw people. He was killed during an expedition to their territory in 1652.[9]

Father Pierre-Joseph-Marie Chaumonot (1611-1693)

Served as a missionary from 1639 to 1693, primarily among the Huron and later with Huron refugees near Quebec. He was known for his exceptional linguistic abilities and established the mission at Lorette.[10]

Recollects (Franciscan Order)

The Recollects were the first missionaries to arrive in New France but were temporarily supplanted by the Jesuits after the English occupation of Quebec (1629-1632).

Father Joseph Le Caron (1586-1632)

One of the first missionaries in New France, arriving in 1615. He was the first European to reach Huronia with Champlain and began learning the Huron language.[11]

Father Gabriel Sagard

Though not ordained, Brother Sagard spent time among the Huron in 1623-1624 and wrote “The Long Journey to the Country of the Hurons,” an important early ethnographic account of Huron life. He also compiled a dictionary of the Huron language.[12]

Father Pacifique Duplessis

Established the first school in New France, teaching reading, writing, and catechism to both French and Indigenous children.

Father Irénée Piat

Worked primarily at Quebec and was involved in establishing the Recollect convent at Notre-Dame-des-Anges.

Ursuline Nuns

The Ursulines focused on educating young women, both French and Indigenous.

Marie Guyart (Marie de l’Incarnation) (1599-1672)

Founded the Ursuline convent in Quebec in 1639 and served as its superior. She learned several Indigenous languages and dedicated herself to educating young women. Her extensive correspondence provides valuable historical insights into colonial life. She was canonized in 2014.[13]

Marie de Savonnières de la Troche (Mother St. Joseph) (1616-1652)

One of the three founding Ursulines who came to New France with Marie de l’Incarnation in 1639. Despite her young age, she was an effective educator who learned Indigenous languages to better teach her students.[14]

Anne Le Bugle (Mother Ste. Claire) (1614-1687)

Another of the founding Ursulines, who taught at the convent school and participated in missionary work.

Hospital Nuns (Hospitalières)

These religious women provided medical care to both colonists and Indigenous peoples.

Marie Guenet de Saint-Ignace (1610-1646)

Founded the Hôtel-Dieu hospital in Quebec in 1639. She and her companions provided medical care during epidemics and other health crises in the colony.[15]

Anne Lecointre de Saint-Bernard (1611-1655)

One of the founding Hospitalières who worked tirelessly treating both French colonists and Indigenous patients at the Hôtel-Dieu.

Sulpicians

The Sulpicians arrived later than the other orders but played a significant role in the development of Montreal.

Gabriel Thubières de Levy de Queylus (1612-1677)

First superior of the Sulpicians in New France, arriving in 1657. He temporarily claimed the title of Vicar General, leading to jurisdictional conflicts with the Jesuits before Bishop Laval’s arrival.[16]

François Dollier de Casson (1636-1701)

Superior of the Sulpicians in Montreal from 1671 to 1674 and 1678 to 1701. He wrote “A History of Montreal,” an important early account of the settlement. He also played a role in urban planning and the development of Montreal’s infrastructure.[17]

Secular Clergy

François de Laval (1623-1708)

First bishop of New France, arriving as Vicar Apostolic in 1659 and becoming Bishop of Quebec in 1674. He established the Seminary of Quebec for training priests, fought against the liquor trade with Indigenous peoples, and worked to strengthen the church’s position in colonial affairs.[18]

Henri de Bernières (1635-1700)

First superior of the Seminary of Quebec and vicar general of the diocese. He played a crucial role in training Canadian-born priests and administering the growing parish network.[19]

Religious Institutions

Sainte-Marie among the Hurons

Established in 1639, this was the headquarters of the Jesuit mission to the Huron. It functioned as a self-contained European-style settlement in the midst of Huronia, with a church, residences, workshops, and hospital. It was abandoned and burned by the Jesuits in 1649 as Iroquois attacks intensified.[20]

Hôtel-Dieu de Québec

Founded in 1639 by the Hospitalières, this was the first hospital in North America north of Mexico. It treated both French and Indigenous patients and continues to operate today, making it one of the oldest hospitals in the Americas.[21]

Ursuline Convent of Quebec

Established in 1639, it was the first educational institution for girls in North America. The Ursulines taught both French and Indigenous girls, providing instruction in reading, writing, arithmetic, handcrafts, and religious education.[22]

Seminary of Quebec

Founded by Bishop Laval in 1663, the seminary trained priests for service in New France and administered parishes throughout the colony. It later became Laval University.

  1. Campeau, Lucien. “LE JEUNE, PAUL,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 1, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003. ↩︎

  2. Talbot, Francis X. “Saint Among the Hurons: The Life of Jean de Brébeuf.” New York: Harper & Brothers, 1949. ↩︎

  3. Latourelle, René. “GARNIER, CHARLES,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 1, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003. ↩︎

  4. Béchard, Henri. “JOGUES, ISAAC,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 1, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003. ↩︎

  5. Dorsey, Peter A. “LALEMANT, GABRIEL,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 1, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003. ↩︎

  6. Latourelle, René. “DANIEL, ANTOINE,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 1, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003. ↩︎

  7. Campeau, Lucien. “LALEMANT, JÉRÔME,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 1, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003. ↩︎

  8. Brosseau, Jean-Dominique. “BRESSANI, FRANÇOIS-JOSEPH,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 1, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003. ↩︎

  9. Rochemonteix, Camille de. “Les Jésuites et la Nouvelle-France au XVIIe siècle.” Paris: Letouzey et Ané, 1895-1896. ↩︎

  10. Béchard, Henri. “CHAUMONOT, PIERRE-JOSEPH-MARIE,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 1, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003. ↩︎

  11. Jouve, Odoric-Marie. “LE CARON, JOSEPH,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 1, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003. ↩︎

  12. Warwick, Jack. “SAGARD, GABRIEL,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 1, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003. ↩︎

  13. Oury, Guy-Marie. “MARIE DE L’INCARNATION,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 1, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003. ↩︎

  14. Oury, Guy-Marie. “SAVONNIÈRES DE LA TROCHE, MARIE DE (Marie de Saint-Joseph),” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 1, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003. ↩︎

  15. Jamet, Albert. “GUENET, MARIE, dite de Saint-Ignace,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 1, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003. ↩︎

  16. Vachon, André. “THUBIÈRES DE LEVY DE QUEYLUS, GABRIEL,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 1, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003. ↩︎

  17. Gauthier Landreville, Madeleine. “DOLLIER DE CASSON, FRANÇOIS,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 2, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003. ↩︎

  18. Vachon, André. “LAVAL, FRANÇOIS DE,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 2, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003. ↩︎

  19. Provost, Honorius. “BERNIÈRES, HENRI DE,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 1, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003. ↩︎

  20. Heidenreich, Conrad E. “Huronia: A History and Geography of the Huron Indians, 1600-1650.” Toronto: McClelland and Stewart, 1971. ↩︎

  21. Rousseau, François. “La Croix et le Scalpel. Histoire des Augustines et de l’Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, Vol. 1: 1639-1892.” Sillery: Septentrion, 1989. ↩︎

  22. Oury, Guy-Marie. “Les Ursulines de Québec, 1639-1953.” Québec: Septentrion, 1999. ↩︎

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