Nicolas Viel

Father Nicolas Viel, O.M.R.
Born Coutances, Normandy, France
Died June 25, 1625
Sault-au-Récollet, Quebec, Canada
Cause of death
Murder
Body discovered
June 28, 1625
Resting place
Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
Nationality French
Ethnicity French
Citizenship French
Occupation Franciscan friar and missionary
Home town Coutances, Normandy, France
Religion Roman Catholic

Father Nicolas Viel, O.M.R., (died 25 June 1625) was a French Recollect missionary to the Hurons from 1623 to 1625.

Biography

Cross in honour of Nicolas Viel and Ahuntsic (Missionary) at Parc de l'Île-de-la-Visitation

Among the first missionaries sent by France to its colony, Viel traveled to Huron territory, arriving there with fellow Recollect Father Joseph Le Caron in 1623. He was studying the language and collecting material to add to Le Caron’s dictionary.

After almost two years, in May 1625, Viel decided to return to Quebec in the company of a band of Hurons, with the intention of making a few days retreat and then returning to his missions. It is known that he never reached Quebec, but was drowned in the last chute of the Riviere des Praiiries, which from that time bears the name of Sault-au-Récollet.[1] The neophyte Auhaitsique, whom he had instructed and baptized, met with the same fate. It was learned later that this was not an accident; but that a few Hurons caused the drowning.[2] Sagard and Le Clercq give full accounts of Father Viel's missionary work, and of his tragic death. According to the "Martyrologe des Recollets", Father Viel was buried in St. Charles's Chapel, Quebec City, 25 June 1625.

References

External links

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