Saint jean de lalande biography of albert

          Not much is known of the early years of Jean de Lalande, including the date of his birth. A native of Dieppe, in Normandy, France, he arrived in New France in 1642 at the age of nineteen.

Like his fellow North American Martyr, René Goupil, Lalande came to New France to serve in the missions with the Jesuits as a donné. Unique to the North American missions, donnés were laymen who, by contract, committed to serve the Jesuit missionaries.

Life in the missions was difficult. Donnés worked to fish and hunt, prepare meals for the Jesuit priests, and assist them at Mass, among other things.

Saint jean de lalande biography of albert einstein

They were also part of the evangelical effort, teaching converts, caring for the sick and helping construct the new mission posts. The donnés were not paid compensation other than a promise to have their needs met by the Jesuits.

         From 1642 to 1646, Jean de Lalande is believed to have been part of the Three Rivers mission. Isaac Jogues, acting as an ambassador,