Pope Francis: may Quebec again become a land that produces missionaries

October 13, 2014

On October 12, the midpoint of the Third Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the Family, Pope Francis celebrated a Mass of thanksgiving for the April canonization of St. François de Laval (1623-1708), the first bishop of Quebec, and St. Marie of the Incarnation (1599-1672), who introduced the Ursuline order into Canada.

“The memory of the missionaries sustains us at a time when we are experiencing a scarcity of labourers in the service of the Gospel,” the Pope preached. “Their example attracts us, they inspire us to imitate their faith. They are fruitful witnesses who bring forth life!”

He added:

We must always remember those who have gone before us, those who founded the fruitful Church in Quebec! The missionaries from Quebec who went everywhere were fruitful. The world was full of Canadian missionaries like François de Laval and Marie of the Incarnation.

So a word of advice: remembering them prevents us from renouncing candor and courage. Perhaps – indeed, even without perhaps – the devil is jealous and will not tolerate that a land could be such fertile ground for missionaries. Let us pray to the Lord, that Quebec may once again bear much fruit, that it may give the world many missionaries.

May the two missionaries, who we celebrate today, and who – in a manner of speaking – founded the Church in Quebec, help us by their intercession. May the seed that they sowed grow and bear fruit in new courageous men and women, who are far-sighted, with hearts open to the Lord’s call. Today, each one must ask this for your homeland. The saints will intercede for us from heaven. May Quebec once again be a source of brave and holy missionaries.

 

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Further information:

• Santa Messa di ringraziamento per la canonizzazione equipollente dei santi canadesi Francesco de Laval e Maria dell’Incarnazione Guyart Martin (Holy See Press Office)
• Pope Francis canonizes 3 saints; 13 other sainthood causes advance (CWN, 4/3)