François de Laval

thumb|François de Montmorency-Laval Francis-Xavier de Montmorency-Laval, commonly referred to as François de Laval (30 April 1623 – 6 May 1708), was considered the founder of the Catholic faith in New France. He was a French Catholic prelate who served as Apostolic Vicar of New France from 1658 to 1674. In 1674, he was given the diocese, making him the first bishop of Quebec. He held this position until he retired due to poor health in 1688. He continued to work in New France until his death in 1708. Quotes about de Laval He is a man of great merit and distinguished virtue; it is not men who have chosen him; I will say in all truth that he lives as a saint and as an apostle. Mary of the Incarnation Guyart, quoted in John Paul II, Santa messa per la proclamazione di cinque nuovi beati, Vatican City, 22 June 1980. Francis de Montmorency-Laval, a noble son of France, also animated by missionary charisma, could have aspired to the most promising human careers, but he preferred to generously correspond to Christ's invitation to proclaim the Gospel in distant countries. Elected apostolic vicar in "New France", clothed in episcopal charism, he settled in Quebec, and gave himself with tireless zeal to the expansion of the kingdom of God, realizing the ideal figure of the Bishop. Pope John Paul II, Santa messa per la proclamazione di cinque nuovi beati, Vatican City, 22 June 1980. The missionaries served the Mission of the Church, breaking the bread of the Word for the little ones and the most distant and bringing to all the gift of inexhaustible love, which flows from the very heart of the Savior.Thus were Saint Francis de Laval and Saint Mary of the Incarnation. [...] Let these two who –so to speak– founded the Church of Quebec help us as intercessors. May the seed sown by them grow and bear fruit of brave, far-sighted new men and women, with their hearts open to the Lord's call. Pope Francis, Santa messa di ringraziamento per la canonizzazione equipollente di due santi canadesi, Rome, 12 October 2014. External links de Laval, François Category:1623 births Category:1708 deaths Category:Missionaries Category:Roman Catholic archbishops Category:Catholics from France Category:Catholic saints