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 |SaintName=Saint François de Laval
 |SaintStage=Saint
-|FeastDay=May 06
+|SaintBirthDate=04-30-1623
 |SaintBirthPlace=Montigny-sur-Avre, Eure-et-Loir, France
 |SaintBirthCoordinates=48.7687, 1.2506
-|SaintDeathDate=1708-06-05
+|SaintDeathDate=05-06-1708
 |DeathPlace=Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
-|SaintDeathCoordinates=46.81388, -71.20798
+|SaintDeathCoordinates=46.813878, -71.207981
 |SaintCauseOfDeath=Natural causes
 |NotableAddress1=Séminaire de Québec, 2 Côte de la Fabrique, Quebec City, Quebec G1R 3V7, Canada
 |NotableLabel1=Founded seminary
-|NotableCoordinates1=46.81388, -71.20798
+|NotableCoordinates1=46.813878, -71.207981
 |NotableAddress2=Notre-Dame Basilica-Cathedral, 16 Rue De Buade, Quebec City, Quebec G1R 4A1, Canada
 |NotableLabel2=Episcopal seat
-|NotableCoordinates2=46.81388, -71.20798
+|NotableCoordinates2=46.813878, -71.207981
-|AssociatedCountries=France, Canada
+|NotableAddress3=
-|AssociatedDioceses=[[Archdiocese of Quebec]], [[Diocese of Chartres]]
+|NotableLabel3=
+|NotableCoordinates3=
+|NotableAddress4=
+|NotableLabel4=
+|NotableCoordinates4=
+|NotableAddress5=
+|NotableLabel5=
+|NotableCoordinates5=
+|BeatificationDate=06-22-1980
 |Beatifier=Pope John Paul II
 |BeatificationLocation=Vatican City
 |Canonized=Yes
-|CanonizationDate=2014-03-04
+|CanonizationDate=04-03-2014
 |Canonizer=Pope Francis
 |CanonizationLocation=Vatican City
 |SaintMiracle1=None (equipollent canonization)
 |SaintMiracle2=None (equipollent canonization)
+|SaintMiracle3=
+|FeastDay=May 06
 |Profession=Priest, Bishop
 |ReligiousAffiliation=Society of Foreign Missions of Paris
@@ Line 31: / Line 41: @@
 |PrimaryShrine=Notre-Dame Basilica-Cathedral, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
 |AdditionalVeneration=Anglican Church of Canada
+|AssociatedCountries=France, Canada
+|AssociatedDioceses=[[Archdiocese of Quebec]], [[Diocese of Chartres]]
 |ReviewLevel=2
 }}
 '''Saint François de Laval''' (30 April 1623 – 6 May 1708) was a French [[Bishop]] and missionary who served as the first [[Bishop]] of [[Quebec]], establishing the [[Catholic Church]] in [[New France]]. As the founder of the [[Séminaire de Québec]], he laid the foundation for priestly formation in [[Canada]], shaping the religious and educational landscape of the colony. Known for his ascetic lifestyle, devotion to the poor, and efforts to evangelize Indigenous peoples, Laval played a critical role in organizing the [[Parish|parish]] system and defending ecclesiastical authority against colonial governance. Canonized by [[Pope Francis]] in 2014 through equipollent canonization, he is venerated as a patron of [[Canada]], bishops, and [[Quebec]], with his feast day celebrated on May 6 by the [[Catholic Church]] and the [[Anglican Church of Canada]].
@@ Line 45: / Line 58: @@
 ===Early Life===
-François’ early life was marked by rigorous education and spiritual formation. At age eight, he was sent to the [[Jesuit]] college at La Flèche, where he studied humanities and philosophy, excelling in theology. By 1637, he entered the [[Seminary|Collège de Clermont]] in [[Paris]], run by the [[Jesuits]], to prepare for the priesthood. His studies included Latin, Greek, and theology, influenced by the French school of spirituality, particularly [[Saint Vincent de Paul]] and [[Saint François de Sales]]. He received the tonsure at age 12 and was appointed a canon of [[Évreux Cathedral
+François’ early life was marked by rigorous education and spiritual formation. At age eight, he was sent to the [[Jesuit]] college at La Flèche, where he studied humanities and philosophy, excelling in theology. By 1637, he entered the [[Seminary|Collège de Clermont]] in [[Paris]], run by the [[Jesuits]], to prepare for the priesthood. His studies included Latin, Greek, and theology, influenced by the French school of spirituality, particularly [[Saint Vincent de Paul]] and [[Saint François de Sales]]. He received the tonsure at age 12 and was appointed a canon of [[Évreux Cathedral]] at 15, a privilege tied to his noble status, though he prioritized a missionary calling over worldly honors.
+In 1645, François resigned his family’s seigneurial titles to focus on his priestly vocation, a decision that shocked his peers given his inheritance. Ordained a priest on 1 May 1647 in the [[Diocese of Évreux]], he served briefly in [[France]] before being proposed for missionary work in Asia. When that mission failed, his mentor, [[Jesuit]] Jean Bagot, recommended him for [[New France]], leading to his appointment as Apostolic Vicar in 1658 by [[Pope Alexander VII]]. This marked the beginning of his lifelong dedication to the Church in [[Canada]].
+===Occupation===
+Before his episcopal role, François de Laval served as a priest and canon in [[Évreux]], [[Normandy]], [[France]], engaging in pastoral duties and charitable works. His brief tenure in [[France]] included administering sacraments and supporting local [[Parish|parishes]], reflecting his commitment to the poor. In 1659, he arrived in [[Quebec City]] as Apostolic Vicar, tasked with organizing the Church in [[New France]]. His primary occupation became that of a missionary [[Bishop]], overseeing the spiritual needs of settlers, Indigenous peoples, and clergy across a vast territory.
+As [[Bishop]] of [[Quebec]] from 1674, Laval established the [[Séminaire de Québec]] in 1663 to train priests, ensuring a local clergy for the colony. He also founded schools, hospitals, and [[Parish|parishes]], while advocating for sobriety laws to protect Indigenous communities from exploitative alcohol trade. His administrative skills, honed in [[France]], enabled him to manage diocesan finances and navigate tensions with colonial governors, cementing his role as a foundational figure in Canadian Catholicism.
+===Vocation===
+Laval’s vocation was rooted in a deep sense of mission, inspired by his [[Jesuit]] education and the French Counter-Reformation’s emphasis on active apostolate. Appointed Apostolic Vicar of [[New France]] in 1658, he arrived in [[Quebec City]] in 1659 under the authority of the [[Society of Foreign Missions of Paris]]. His vision was to build a structured Church, establishing the [[Diocese|diocese]]’s first [[Parish|parish]] system and promoting education through the [[Séminaire de Québec]]. Consecrated as [[Bishop]] of [[Quebec]] in 1674 by [[Pope Clement X]], he governed a diocese stretching from [[Acadia]] to the Mississippi, a monumental task requiring resilience and diplomacy.
+His commitment to Indigenous evangelization led him to learn Algonquin and support [[Jesuit]] missions, though he prioritized French settlers’ spiritual needs due to cultural barriers. Laval faced conflicts with governors like Louis de Buade, Comte de Frontenac, over ecclesiastical authority and moral issues, such as liquor trade with Indigenous peoples. Resigning in 1688 due to health and disputes, he remained in [[Quebec]], living ascetically and mentoring seminarians until his death, leaving a lasting legacy in the [[Archdiocese of Quebec]].
+===Death===
+Saint François de Laval met his end peacefully in old age on 6 May 1708 in [[Quebec City]], [[Quebec]], [[Canada]], at age 85, after a brief illness exacerbated by frostbite from praying barefoot in winter. In his final years, he lived at the [[Séminaire de Québec]], dedicating himself to prayer, charity, and mentoring young priests. His death was mourned by the colony, with contemporaries noting his humility and devotion, as he distributed his possessions to the poor before passing. His funeral at the Notre-Dame Basilica-Cathedral drew settlers, clergy, and Indigenous converts, reflecting his broad influence.
+His body was entombed beneath the Notre-Dame Basilica-Cathedral, where his relics remain a focal point for pilgrims. The [[Séminaire de Québec]] preserved his writings and personal effects, including his crozier, as relics. Venerated as a father of the Canadian Church, his tomb continues to inspire devotion in [[Quebec]] and beyond.
+==Significant events==
+* Ordained a priest in 1647 in the [[Diocese of Évreux]].
+* Appointed Apostolic Vicar of [[New France]] in 1658.
+* Founded the [[Séminaire de Québec]] in 1663.
+* Consecrated first [[Bishop]] of [[Quebec]] in 1674.
+* Established the [[Parish|parish]] system in [[New France]] in the 1660s.
+* Resigned as [[Bishop]] in 1688 but remained active in [[Quebec]].
+==Significant locations==
+{{SaintMapSimple}}
+==Parishes==
+{{Saint parish map|Where=Saint François de Laval|zoom=7|Saint=Saint François de Laval}}
+==Canonization==
+===Servant of God===
+The process to recognize François de Laval as a Servant of God began in 1890 in the [[Archdiocese of Quebec]], where he served as [[Bishop]]. The diocesan investigation, led by the [[Archbishop of Quebec]], examined his life, writings, and contributions to the Church in [[New France]], focusing on his establishment of the [[Séminaire de Québec]] and his pastoral care. His reputation for holiness, evidenced by his asceticism and charity, prompted the [[Diocese|diocese]] to submit his cause to the [[Congregation for the Causes of Saints]] in [[Rome]], initiating the formal sainthood process.
+===Venerable===
+Laval was declared Venerable by [[Pope John Paul II]] on 7 May 1965, recognizing his life of heroic virtue. The [[Congregation for the Causes of Saints]] reviewed his extensive work, including founding the [[Diocese]] of [[Quebec]] and his advocacy for Indigenous rights against colonial exploitation. His ascetic lifestyle and dedication to education were deemed exemplary, advancing his cause without requiring a miracle at this stage.
+===Beatification===
+He was beatified on 22 June 1980 by [[Pope John Paul II]] in [[Vatican City]]. No miracle was required, as his continuous veneration in [[Quebec]] since his death, coupled with his foundational role in Canadian Catholicism, satisfied the requirements. His beatification allowed him to be called “Blessed” and permitted veneration in [[Canada]] and by the [[Society of Foreign Missions of Paris]].
+===Canonization===
+François de Laval was canonized on 3 April 2014 by [[Pope Francis]] in [[Vatican City]] through equipollent canonization, bypassing the need for miracles due to his longstanding veneration and documented sanctity. The canonization, celebrated at a Thanksgiving Mass in [[Saint Peter’s Basilica]] on 12 October 2014, declared him a [[Saints|saint]], extending his veneration to the universal [[Catholic Church]]. His feast day was set for May 6, honoring his role as a pioneer of the Church in [[Canada]].
+==Miracles==
+===Miracle for beatification===
+No miracle was required for François de Laval’s beatification, as his continuous veneration in [[Quebec]] since 1708, combined with his significant contributions to the [[Catholic Church]] in [[New France]], fulfilled the criteria. The [[Congregation for the Causes of Saints]] recognized his establishment of the [[Séminaire de Québec]] and his pastoral leadership as evidence of heroic virtue. His beatification on 22 June 1980 by [[Pope John Paul II]] was based on this enduring “odor of sanctity” rather than a specific miraculous event.
+The absence of a miracle did not diminish his legacy, as his life of sacrifice, including resigning noble titles and enduring colonial hardships, was seen as spiritually exemplary. His advocacy for Indigenous peoples and his role in structuring the Church in [[Canada]] further supported his beatification, strengthening devotion in the [[Archdiocese of Quebec]].
+===Miracle for canonization===
+Similarly, no miracle was required for Laval’s canonization, as [[Pope Francis]] used equipollent canonization on 3 April 2014, acknowledging his widespread veneration and well-documented holiness. This process, also applied to contemporaries like [[Saint Marie de l’Incarnation]], relied on his historical impact, including founding the [[Diocese]] of [[Quebec]] and his writings preserved by the [[Séminaire de Québec]]. His canonization affirmed his universal significance as a missionary [[Bishop]], with his feast day celebrated globally.
+The decision highlighted Laval’s role in shaping [[Canada]]’s Catholic identity, particularly through the [[Séminaire de Québec]], which remains active. His canonization Mass in 2014, attended by Canadian pilgrims and the [[Archbishop of Quebec]], Cardinal Gérald Cyprien Lacroix, underscored his enduring influence.
+===Other notable miracles===
+* No additional miracles have been officially authenticated by the [[Catholic Church]] for Saint François de Laval beyond those associated with his equipollent canonization.
+==Patronage==
+Saint François de Laval is the patron saint of [[Canada]], bishops, and [[Quebec]]. His patronage reflects his foundational role in establishing the [[Catholic Church]] in [[New France]], his leadership as a [[Bishop]], and his enduring influence in [[Quebec]]’s religious and cultural life.
+==Feast day==
+His feast day is celebrated on May 06 in the [[Catholic Church]] and [[Anglican Church of Canada]], commemorating his death and contributions to the Church in [[Canada]].
+==Veneration==
+Saint François de Laval is venerated through prayers, novenas, and pilgrimages to his tomb at the Notre-Dame Basilica-Cathedral, 16 Rue De Buade, [[Quebec City]], [[Quebec]], [[Canada]]. The cathedral, where he served as [[Bishop]], houses his relics, including his heart, and is a National Historic Site attracting devotees seeking his intercession for leadership, education, and missionary work. A statue by Louis Jobin, erected in 1908, stands outside the [[Séminaire de Québec]], symbolizing his legacy.
+He is depicted in artworks like a 1672 portrait by Claude François, showing him in episcopal vestments with a crozier and mitre, reflecting his role as [[Bishop]]. His life inspired works like Jean Laflamme’s biography ''François de Laval: Premier évêque de Québec'' (2008). The [[Séminaire de Québec]] and its museum preserve his writings and relics, influencing [[Quebec]]’s religious culture, with annual feast day Masses fostering devotion in the [[Archdiocese of Quebec]].
+==Books==
+===Written about the saint===
+* [https://www.amazon.com/Fran%C3%A7ois-Laval-Premier-%C3%A9v%C3%AAque-Qu%C3%A9bec/dp/2896460926 François de Laval: Premier évêque de Québec by Jean Laflamme]
+* [https://www.amazon.com/François-Laval-Bishop-New-France/dp/B0007J8J4W François de Laval: Bishop of New France by Henry Arthur Scott]
+===Written by the saint===
+* No complete books by Saint François de Laval survive, but his pastoral letters and ordinances are preserved in the archives of the [[Séminaire de Québec]], published in works like ''Mémoire sur les affaires de l’Église de Québec'' (1663).
+==External links==
+* [https://catholicsaints.info/saint-francois-de-laval/ Saint François de Laval - CatholicSaints.Info]
+* [https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=6082 Saint François de Laval - Catholic Online]
+* [https://www.cccb.ca/saint/saint-francois-de-laval-1623-1708/ Saint François de Laval - Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops]
+* [https://www.vatican.va/content/vatican/en.html François de Laval (1623-1708) - Vatican Biography]
+==References==
+{{Reflist}}