Wilmont Kreis

Jesuits and Sulpicians: For residents of the United States, much of early French-Canadian religious history is confusing. Although there were missionaries in the early English Colonies most were Protestant and they did not hold the same prominence and clout as their French-Canadian counterparts. Uniquely Catholic, in the early days almost all in New France were Jesuits who preferred hard work to leisure. Although they provided priestly duties to the colonists, their primary goal was salvation of the natives and they seemed to be happiest when suffering in the wilderness. They held this role exclusively until the late arrival of a more gentlemanly sect from Montreal: The Sulpicians. More on them next week. Read More 

For two hundred years, the Jesuits sent reports of their dealings with the Native Americans back to France where they were published and sold in chronicle form. In their day, they were among the most widely read publications in France. Originally published in Latin, French and Italian, today the enormous collection of 73 volumes is available in many languages including English. They provide researchers with priceless information of the times and the native people. I also drew upon these books when researching The Allards. Read More 

A Catholic teaching order, the Jesuits are still active today and run many American Catholic schools and Universities. They were not the only order active in French-Canada but arguably had the greatest impact, particularly on the natives who they taught and converted regularly. Unfortunately along with religion they spread many diseases new to the New World such as smallpox, eliminating great swaths of the population. Read More