![[Blessed Francis de Montmorency Laval]](saintf62.jpg "??kb jpg illustration of Blessed Francis de Montmorency Laval, artist unknown; please do not write to ask about the image")
Appointed vicar apostolic of New France by Pope Alexander VII in 1658. Consecrated as bishop on 8 December 1658. Arrived in Quebec City, population 500, to take up his new duties on 16 June 1659. His territory covered all of Canada and the central section of what would become the United States. It was an enormous frontier diocese in need of administration, stability, and evangelization, and Francis approached it as spiritual work. Promoted missionary work, and supported missionaries from the Jesuits and Recollect Franciscans. Restored the shrine of Saint Anne de Beaupré, and built the cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Founded the seminary of Quebec in 1663, and started the Catholic school system throughout Canada. Quebec was established as a diocese in 1674, and Laval consecrated its first bishop. Fought the alcohol trade to the Indian tribes, had it outlawed within his territory, and excommunicated those who dealt in it. His work slowed the trade and improved the lives of the natives, but made him many enemies within the liquor trade.
In 1684 he went into retirement, living as a hermit at the seminary in Quebec, hoping to live out his life in prayer. However, disastrous fires in November 1701 and October 1705 brought him out of retirement to oversee the needed construction, and he was ever involved in charitable work for the poor, and available to consult with his successor. Laval University in Quebec is named for him.
Chancellerie
1073 boul. René-Lévesque Ouest
Québec G1S 4R5, CANADA
Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate Catholic-Hierarchy.Org New Catholic Dictionary Our Sunday Visitor's Encyclopedia of Saints, by Matthew Bunson, Margaret Bunson, and Stephen Bunson
Saint of the Day, by the Daughters of Saint Paul Saints Alive, by Father Robert F McNamara