François de Laval, a missionary bishop, a visionary, a bold man, a founder… and a Saint!

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THE SAINT

Collection of quotes

Excerpts from various letters and official documents written by François de Laval

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We must earn love through gentleness, patience and charity.

Instructions to missionaries
1668

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Everything done by the hand of God is admirably useful to us, though we may not see its effects immediately.

Letter to his friend Boudon
November 6th, 1677

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May they remember that the seed of God’s Word brings forth fruit with patience. Those who lack patience risk becoming discouraged, after a fiery start, and abandoning their endeavor.

Instructions to missionaries
1668

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Language is necessary to communicate with others; however, it is not the most important thing, just as in France speaking eloquent French is not necessarily what makes for effective preaching.

Instructions to missionaries
1668

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It is for the great Master of the harvest to send his workers to the vineyard; none of our human industriousness or careful work does anything to advance the work of the Good Lord.

Letter to Saint-Vallier
February 15th -March 15th, 1686

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For a long time, God has granted me the grace of seeing everything that happens to me in this life as the effect of his Providence.

Letter to Father de La Chaize
May 1687

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We must have nothing in our lives or in our morals that appears to contradict what we say.

Instructions to missionaries
1668

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They (the missionaries) must strive to avoid both of the two extremities to be feared in those who work to convert souls: to hope too much or to despair too much. Those who hope too much are often the first to despair, faced with all the difficulties involved in the conversion of the infidels, which is more the work of God than the labor of Man.

Instructions to missionaries
1668

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We must have no another centre than the pleasing of Our Lord.

Letter to the directors of the Quebec Seminary
March 18th, 1687

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Often, a bitter word, an impatient gesture or a stern face will destroy in an instant what has taken so long to achieve.

Instructions to missionaries
1668

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The Kingdom of God, in our innermost being, forms our center and our all.

Letter to his friend Boudon
November 6th, 1677

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We must place all our trust and our strength in Our Lord, His Holy Mother and all His Holy Family.

Letter to the directors of the Quebec Seminary
June 9th, 1687

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May they realize that being sent to work to convert the infidels is the most important task of all within the Church, requiring them to make themselves God’s worthy instruments.

Instructions to missionaries
1668

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The Holy Spirit requires a peaceful, contemplative heart rather than an uneasy and dissipated heart.

Instructions to missionaries
1668

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We must show a joyful, moderate countenance and mockery and unbridled laughter must be avoided and generally everything that is contrary to holy and joyful modesty. Let your moderation be known unto all men.

Instructions to missionaries
1668

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However, in the midst of our troubles we must not lose heart; if men have the power to strike down, the hand of Our Lord has infinitely more power to raise up. We must simply retain our faith in Him and leave Him to do His work.

Letter to Milon
Autumn 1689

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For many years now, Providence has guided this Church, and us with it, along spiritual and temporal paths. Provided that His holy will be done, this is of no import.

Letter to his friend Boudon
November 6th, 1677

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The talents of a good missionary are: to be filled with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit must animate our words and hearts.

Instructions to missionaries
1668

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I pray to Our Lord and to His Blessed Mother that the entire land may acknowledge His grace and that the interests of God shall be their sole interest for all time.

Letter to Denonville
November 20th, 1690