Spiritual golden age inspired French missionaries

Some of my stories from my trip to Quebec last month are now published electronically over at Western Catholic Reporter.

Almost as soon as the first houses were built at the foot of cliffs overlooking the river, Franciscan missionary priests, known as the Recollet Fathers, built a wooden church.

In 1633, Champlain built a chapel in Upper Town near the site of the present Notre-Dame de Quebec Basilica Cathedral. Jesuit missionaries, the "Black Robes," soon followed. They lived among the Huron tribes, sharing their hardships and meagre food. They spent eight to 12 years learning the language before they could share the Gospel.

"The quality of the first Jesuits was extraordinary," said Cardinal Marc Ouellet of Quebec, who remains inspired by St. Jean de Br‚beuf and the Canadian martyrs, who gave their lives to serve among aboriginal peoples.

"When you read Br‚beuf, so impressive was his readiness for martyrdom. And it was authentic; it was not the enthusiasm of an adolescent."

Ouellet hopes the 2008 International Eucharistic Congress this June 15-22 in Quebec City will revive the memory of Br‚beuf and the seven other Canadian martyrs, as the city also celebrates the 400th anniversary of its founding.