| Charles Lallemant | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 17, 1587 |
| Died | November 18, 1674 (aged 87) |
| Known for | Relations des Jésuites de la Nouvelle-France |
| Relatives | Jérôme Lalemant (brother) Gabriel Lallemant (nephew) |
Charles Lallemant (Lalemant), (November 17, 1587 – November 18, 1674) came from France in 1625 as the first superior of the Jesuit missions in Canada. His letter to his brother, dated 1 August 1626, inaugurated the series Relations des Jésuites de la Nouvelle-France about the missionary work in that country.
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Thwarted by the Trading Company at Quebec in his efforts to evangelize the Indians, Lallemant went to France to protest. Attempting to return to America, his vessel was captured by Kirke who was then blockading the Saint Lawrence River. Lallemant was sent as a prisoner to England. A second attempt to travel to America resulted in shipwreck off Cape Canso, and on his way back to France he was wrecked a second time on the coast of Spain. He finally reached America in 1632 after Quebec was restored to the French. He was the friend and confessor of Samuel de Champlain, who died in his arms.
He returned again to France in 1638, where he became procurator of the Canadian missions, vice provincial and superior of the "Professed house" in Paris. He obtained the concession of the Island of Montreal for the colony of Dauversière, and he also recruited Maisonneuve and Jeanne Mance to engage in the undertaking. When there was question of appointing the first Bishop of Quebec, his candidacy was urged.
Lallemant was the author of a spiritual work entitled La vie cachée de Notre Seigneur Jésus-Christ.
He is not to be confused with Louis Lallemant, author of Les Conferences Spirituelles.
Lallemant had two close relatives in the Jesuit missions: Jérôme Lalemant, his brother, and Gabriel Lallemant, a nephew.
T.J. CAMPBELL Transcribed by Joseph E. O'Connor
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed (1913). "Charles Lalemant". Catholic Encyclopedia. Robert Appleton Company.