De Crespieul, François (Missionary in Québec, Canada

De Crespieul, François (Missionary in Québec, Canada

De Crespieul arrived in Tadoussac in October of 1671, where he stayed for the next 30 years. He travelled throughout the entire territory, from Île-aux-Coudres, Sept-Îles, Tadoussac, Lake Mistassini, Chicoutimi, Métabetchouan, to Nekoubau. He followed the Montagnais tribe throughout the forests and lived their lifestyle. He ate only when he was offered food and during winter, he spent most of his time kneeling to keep warm, on top of constantly being exposed to smoke. Crespieul lived amongst them and learned their ways for a little over 30 years despite the difficult living conditions. He was given the title of “apostolic vicar” (meaning he was the supervisor of a specific region) to the Montagnais people in 1696. In 1702, he returned to Québec and died not long after.

1671-1702

Person

Jesuit order, Montagnais territory in Tadoussac, Canada

Lorenzo Angers, “CRESPIEUL, FRANÇOIS DE,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 2, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003–, accessed October 1, 2021, https://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/crespieul_francois_de_2E.html.

1639

Arras, France

1702

Québec city, Canada

Jesuit; priest; missionary to the Montagnais Indians

French; Latin; Greek; Montagnais Language

De Crespieul was admitted into the noviciate in Tournai in 1658, and afterwards studied philosophy in Douai. He completed his classical studies at the Lille college, where he then taught the senior class for four years. He was allowed to join the missions in Canada as soon as he was ordained priest in 1670. After sailing the Atlantic, Crespieul arrived in Québec city and was asked to teach Latin and Greek to the senior class at the Jesuit college, while simultaneously completing his theological studies and learning the Montagnais (Innu) language. He then went to Tadoussac in order to start missionary work. He followed the Montagnais throughout their territory, living their lifestyle amongst them. He finally returned to Québec where he was named an adviser by his superior. He died in the city the same year.

N/A

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

Charlotte Lepage