Canada's Very First Bishop!

Hi Everyone! As you can tell our master is not always the best secretary. We have been bugging her to help us write our next post but she keeps telling us she is busy :(

So today we just made her sit down to write. This past Monday was the feast day of Canada's very first bishop, Blessed François de Laval. (Well ok, at the time Canada still didn't exist so he was the first bishop of Quebec.) We are 2 days past May 6th but better late than never we say!

He was born in France, and came to Quebec in 1659!

Gee Cloë that seems like a long time ago, I don't think our master was even born then.

Don't be silly Tallulah that was like 354 years ago, no one from then is still around! Anyway getting back to François if I may. He did all kinds of wonderful things. He founded the Seminary of Quebec, which is now Laval University, he was in charge of all the French speaking territory of North America, he founded a minor seminary and an industrial school. And even though he came from a rich important family, he was very concerned about the first Europeans that came to settle Quebec as well as the native people. He helped them to learn and to have some money. (The pictures: François feeding the poor, the Grand Séminaire in Québec City, the harsh winter in Quebec)

 

 

Is that why he is called Blessed?

Well sort of, Blessed is one step away from becoming a Saint. People who become saints try to follow the way Jesus lived, to be kind to others and to care about others. In fact all people are called to be saints.

If you ever go to Québec City you can visit his museum, it is very interesting and there are lots of neat things to see. Here is a link to give you a sneak peak. (http://www.francoisdelaval.com/english/index.html)

This was a man who understood his job to tell everyone the Good News about God. Here is a prayer that you can pray to help you do the same thing.

O Lord, our God,

You chose François de Laval

To bring the Good News of salvation to North America.

Grant us strength in faith,

Through his intercession, and, following his example,

A fervent heart in service of what is to come.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

 

Well that's it for today. We will close out with a joke!

 

What did the dog yell when it saw the pieces of a fallen tree ?

Bark! Bark!

 

See you later! Woof!

Cloë & Tallulah