LALEMANT, JÉRÔME. - Jesuit, missionary, brother of the preceding, b. in Paris on 27 Apr. 1593, d. at Québec on 26 Jan. 1673. Professor of philosophy and sciences at the Collège de Clermont in Paris, then rector of the Collèges de Blois and La Flèche, he set out in 1638 for Canada as superior of the mission among the Hurons.
Skilled, fearless and far-sighted, he at once reorganized it on new foundations: first he had a general census taken of all the families, then he created in the middle of the territory, on the bank of the Wye, the central residence of Ste-Marie, fortifying it with palisades and garrisoning it with soldiers, and endowed it with "oblates," laymen who offered themselves for the service of the mission without pay. In 1645 he moved to Québec as superior general of all the Canadian missions; the first years were very painful and glorious at the same time, because there occurred the martyrdom of Sts. John de Brebeuf, Isaac Jogues and six other companions, among them his nephew Gabriel (v. CANADO-AMERICANI, MARTIRI). Called to France in 1658 as rector of the Collège de La Flèche, he set out again the following year to accompany the new bishop, F. Laval de Montmorency. From then on he remained at Québec, superior of the mission and vicar general of the diocese.
1895, pp. 382-99; II, ibid. 1896, pp. 285-91, 306-15; T. J. Campbell, Pioneer priest of North America, 1640-1710, II, New York 1914, p. 279 ff.; H. Fouqueray, Hist. de la Comp. de Jésus en France, V, Paris 1925, pp. 296-97, 324-35.
Celestino Testore
Bibliography5 works
Celestino Testore