Laure, Pierre-Michel (missionary in Saguenay, Québec)

Laure, Pierre-Michel (missionary in Saguenay, Québec)

When Pierre-Michel Laure first arrived in Saguenay, he noticed that the Montagnais had mostly forgotten the Holy Religion which was taught to them by the previous father. Since the Montagnais of Saguenay were abandoned for 18 years, Father Laure was tasked with re-teaching everything to the citizens. He held a chapel where some people had traveled more than 100 leagues to participate. In 1721 an epidemic swept through the citizens; Father Laure was in charge of aiding his people, during this time he was comforted by several conversions. He would also visit the Indians of Tadoussac where he would hold religious service. Father Laure would continue to carry out his ministry at the Chicoutimi mission, and the Papinachois at the Îlets Jérémie post. In Chicoutimi he decided to build a new chapel, where he celebrated the first mass on August 15, 1726. Father Laure himself made the altar, accessories, and the interior ornamentation; he gave the first “blow of ax”.

1720-1738

Person

Chicoutimi, Tadoussac, Papinachois at the post on the Îlets Jérémie

Victor Tremblay, pd, “LAURE, PIERRE-MICHEL,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography , vol. 2, Université Laval / University of Toronto, 2003–, accessed Oct. 1, 2021, https://www.biographi.ca/fr/bio/laure_pierre_michel_2F.html

1688

Orléans, France

1738

Les Éboulements

Priest; Jesuit; missionary in Saguenay

French; Montagnais language

Pierre-Michel Laure’s religious affiliation was Roman Catholic, he was a Jesuit. Pierre-Michel Laure was entrusted with the missions involving the Montagnais of Saguenay—the area was abandoned for 18 years after the old father had died. In 1720, Pierre-Michel Laure left for Chicoutimi and upon arrival he started teaching the Montagnais, Catholic teachings, since most had forgotten. He also visited the Indians of Tadoussac, who were already well disposed to Christianity . He had spent four winters with the Tadoussac and in 1723 built a chapel and house for the missionary. In the summer he continued his work at Chicoutimi, along with the Papinachois, at the Îlets Jérémie post. In 1725, he gave up his position with the Tadoussac, and started residing in Chicoutimi; where he started building a new chapel. In 1737, after 18 years Father Laure was appointed missionary residing at Les Éboulements. In 1738 he returned to exercise his ministry in Tadoussac; that was his last visit to Saguenay.

N/A

Les portraits du Père Jésuite Paul Le Jeune, confusions et conversions (n.d.) https://rd.uqam.ca/LeJeune/1711Laure.html.

Conflict and Change in Early Canadian History (Carleton HIST 1301)

Sophia Blinova