Jean Dolbeau

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Jean Dolbeau (born in the Province of Anjou, France, 12 March 1586; died at Orléans, 9 June 1652) was a Recollect friar, one of the four Recollects who were the first Catholic missionaries to Canada. Dolbeau-Mistassini is named for him.

[edit] Life

He entered the order at the age of nineteen at Balmette, near Angers. He landed at Quebec in May, 1615, and celebrated the first Mass ever said there. He became commissionary provincial of the mission in 1618 and preached the first jubilee accorded to Canada. He built the first monastery of the Recollects at Quebec in 1620.

He returned to France in 1625, taking with him an indigenous young boy, who was later baptized at Angers. Dolbeau was then successively master of novices, guardian, definitor, and provincial delegate at the general chapter of the order held in Spain in 1633.