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The
Origins of the Order
The
First Missionnaries
Our
Characteristics
A
Variety Of Apostolates
Inter-religious
Dialogue
Important
writings
The
Origins Of The Secular Franciscan Order
The
Holy Land and the Missions
Important
Franciscans in history
To
join us
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The
First Missionnaries
The
sons of Francis of Assisi have taken different names over the
centuries: Franciscans, Capuchins, Conventuals, Observants, Reformed,
Discalced, Alcantarins, and Recollects. This last name takes us
into the origins of the Franciscans in our country.
From
1615 to 1629
The Recollects
arrived in Quebec with Champlain, in 1615. They stayed there 14
years, until the conquest of Quebec by the Kirke brothers in 1629.
From
1670 to 1848
After an
absence of 40 years, the Recollects returned in 1670, and resided
in the lower city of Quebec; today, the General Hospital testifies
to their presence. As well, at Cap Diamant, they established a
convent, which was destroyed in a fire. The convent was situated
between what is now Chateau Frontenac and Tresor Street (there
is a monument to the Recollects there today).
The Recollects
worked in the Gaspe, Newfoundland, and Montreal. Brother Didace
Pelletier, a master carpenter, built chapels in various places,
notably in Trois-Rivieres (site of an Anglican church), in Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre,
and on Bonaventure Island, opposite Perce.
The Recollects
numbered 370 during this time, and worked as chaplains in the
forts, as well as in more than 100 parishes along the banks of
the St. Lawrence River. Octave Cremazie wrote his famous poem
"O Carillon" (O Bells) in honour of the sons of St.
Francis. The English conquerors of 1759, however, forbade religious
communities of European origin to recruit new members; around
1830, the last Recollect friar in Quebec passed away.
From
1890 to today
The return
of Franciscans to Canada was brought about by the efforts of the
Secular Franciscans and by Father Frederic Janssoone, who had
come to Canada in 1881. The Franciscans arrived in Montreal in
1890, and resided near today's convent on Rene Levesque Boulevard.
They then
spread throughout Canada, living out the Franciscan charism. In
1908 friars from Quebec came to western Canada and first settled
in Edmonton, Alberta. From there they spread to many places including
major centres like Winnipeg, Manitoba, Regina, Saskatewan, and
Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia. In 1955 the west became
autonomous from the Province of St. Joseph in the East and became
the Province of Christ the King.
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