Société Notre-Dame de Montréal
Encyclopedia
The Société Notre-Dame de Montréal was a religious organisation responsible for founding Ville-Marie
, the original name for the settlement that would later become Montreal
.
The long form of the organization name was the Société de Notre-Dame de Montréal pour la conversion des Sauvages de la Nouvelle-France (Our lady of Montréal Society for the conversion of the savages of New-France).
and the priest Jean-Jacques Olier
. They found finance for a plan to set up several religious communities: one of priests to convert the Indians, one of nursing nuns, and one of teaching nuns. With some of Olier's penitents, and Dauversière's recruitment of the Baron de Fanchamp, a devout Christian and a wealthy man, a group of six persons was formed including also Angélique Bullion
. They raised between them seventy-five thousand livres.
Le Royer de la Dauversière obtained the Seigneurial title
to the Island of Montreal
in the name of the Société de Notre-Dame de Montréal to establish a Roman Catholic
mission for evangelizing natives. It was Charles Lallemant
who obtained the concession of the Island of Montreal for the colony of Dauversière, and he also recruited Paul Chomedey de Maisonneuve
and Jeanne Mance
to engage in the undertaking. Hired by Jérôme le Royer de la Dauversière, Maisonneuve was the first governor of Montreal
. Louis Chartier
came from France to supply medical care to Ville-Marie.
In March 1663, Seigniorial
rights to the Island of Montreal
were transferred by the Société de Notre-Dame de Montréal to the Sulpicians
. The Sulpicians became the seigneurs of Ville-Marie
and island, taking over from Paul de Chomedey de Maisonneuve.
La Dauversière published a book on Ville-Marie, The Purpose of Montreal, that raised support for the project in Paris
. Written in 1643, it describes the settlement shortly after its founding: "There is a chapel there that serves as a parish, under the title of Notre Dame.… The inhabitants live for the most part communally, as in a sort of inn; others live on their private means, but all live in Jesus Christ, with one heart and soul."
Fort Ville-Marie
Fort Ville-Marie was a fortress outpost of France in North America. It is the historic nucleus around which the original settlement of Montreal grew.Given its importance, the site of the fort was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1924....
, the original name for the settlement that would later become Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
.
The long form of the organization name was the Société de Notre-Dame de Montréal pour la conversion des Sauvages de la Nouvelle-France (Our lady of Montréal Society for the conversion of the savages of New-France).
Activity
The Société was formed by the layman Jérôme le Royer de la DauversièreJerome le Royer de la Dauversiere
Jérôme le Royer de la Dauversière was a Jesuit who was head of the Société Notre-Dame de Montréal.- Youth :...
and the priest Jean-Jacques Olier
Jean-Jacques Olier
-Early life:At Lyon, where his father had become administrator of justice, he made a thorough classical course under the Jesuits ; he was encouraged to become a priest by St. Francis de Sales, who predicted his sanctity and great services to the Ccatholic Church. He studied philosophy at the...
. They found finance for a plan to set up several religious communities: one of priests to convert the Indians, one of nursing nuns, and one of teaching nuns. With some of Olier's penitents, and Dauversière's recruitment of the Baron de Fanchamp, a devout Christian and a wealthy man, a group of six persons was formed including also Angélique Bullion
Angélique Bullion
-Life:She was born in Paris, at the beginning of the seventeenth century; her parents were Guichard Favre and Madeleine Brulart de Sillery. Claude de Bullion :fr:Claude de Bullion, her husband, was Keeper of the Seals and Superintendent of Finances under Louis XIII; Cardinal Richelieu annually...
. They raised between them seventy-five thousand livres.
Le Royer de la Dauversière obtained the Seigneurial title
Seigneurial system of New France
The seigneurial system of New France was the semi-feudal system of land distribution used in the North American colonies of New France.-Introduction to New France:...
to the Island of Montreal
Island of Montreal
The Island of Montreal , in extreme southwestern Quebec, Canada, is located at the confluence of the Saint Lawrence and Ottawa Rivers. It is separated from Île Jésus by the Rivière des Prairies....
in the name of the Société de Notre-Dame de Montréal to establish a Roman Catholic
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
mission for evangelizing natives. It was Charles Lallemant
Charles Lallemant
Charles Lallemant , came from France in 1625 as the first superior of the Jesuit missions in Canada...
who obtained the concession of the Island of Montreal for the colony of Dauversière, and he also recruited Paul Chomedey de Maisonneuve
Paul Chomedey de Maisonneuve
Paul de Chomedey, sieur de Maisonneuve was a French military officer and the founder of Montreal.- Early career :...
and Jeanne Mance
Jeanne Mance
Jeanne Mance was a French settler of New France. She was one of the founders of Montreal who secured its survival and was the founder and head of the Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal.-Origins:...
to engage in the undertaking. Hired by Jérôme le Royer de la Dauversière, Maisonneuve was the first governor of Montreal
Governor of Montreal
The Governor of Montreal was the highest position in Montreal in the 17th century and the 18th century. Prior to the establishment of the 1663 Sovereign Council, the governor of Montreal was appointed by the Société Notre-Dame de Montréal...
. Louis Chartier
Louis Chartier
Louis Chartier was a surgeon sent to Canada from France in 1653. He was part of an initiative which was to strengthen Montreal. The Société Notre-Dame de Montréal , who were responsible for founding Ville-Marie, had pledged to provide free medical care for the settlers...
came from France to supply medical care to Ville-Marie.
In March 1663, Seigniorial
Seigneurial system of New France
The seigneurial system of New France was the semi-feudal system of land distribution used in the North American colonies of New France.-Introduction to New France:...
rights to the Island of Montreal
Island of Montreal
The Island of Montreal , in extreme southwestern Quebec, Canada, is located at the confluence of the Saint Lawrence and Ottawa Rivers. It is separated from Île Jésus by the Rivière des Prairies....
were transferred by the Société de Notre-Dame de Montréal to the Sulpicians
Society of Saint-Sulpice
The Society of Saint-Sulpice is a Catholic Society of Apostolic Life named for Eglise Saint-Sulpice, Paris, in turn named for St. Sulpitius the Pious. Typically, priests become members of the Society of St. Sulpice only after ordination and some years of pastoral work. Uniquely, Sulpicians retain...
. The Sulpicians became the seigneurs of Ville-Marie
Fort Ville-Marie
Fort Ville-Marie was a fortress outpost of France in North America. It is the historic nucleus around which the original settlement of Montreal grew.Given its importance, the site of the fort was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1924....
and island, taking over from Paul de Chomedey de Maisonneuve.
La Dauversière published a book on Ville-Marie, The Purpose of Montreal, that raised support for the project in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. Written in 1643, it describes the settlement shortly after its founding: "There is a chapel there that serves as a parish, under the title of Notre Dame.… The inhabitants live for the most part communally, as in a sort of inn; others live on their private means, but all live in Jesus Christ, with one heart and soul."