The Jesuit Relations The Jesuit Relations

History 140

By Ryan Babers

Jesuit Relations p.1-19

Jesuit Relations p.1-19

Native North America & French Jesuits• Relations are reports of French missionaries of the

Society of Jesus on their effect to convert the “Pagan Savages” to Catholic Christianity

• Published between 1632-1673

• Included news about colonization progress, epidemics, war, and other events affecting other Indians of the Northwest

• Also included were narratives if distant voyages

• Much of the relations popularity is due to the detailed account of the customs, habits, and cultures of various native nations

• 2 reasons why Jesuit Relations is popular: Jesuit knew what they were talking about; were Inveterate writers who were literate and training made them elite people of the literate world

Society of Jesus in Europe and Abroad• Multifaceted- education, literary, and scientific

activities, pastoral care and overseas missions

• Jesuits could be mystical and contemplative, active, worldly, and ruthlessly rational in pursuit of goals

Native North America & French Jesuits• Relations are reports of French missionaries of the

Society of Jesus on their effect to convert the “Pagan Savages” to Catholic Christianity

• Published between 1632-1673

• Included news about colonization progress, epidemics, war, and other events affecting other Indians of the Northwest

• Also included were narratives if distant voyages

• Much of the relations popularity is due to the detailed account of the customs, habits, and cultures of various native nations

• 2 reasons why Jesuit Relations is popular: Jesuit knew what they were talking about; were Inveterate writers who were literate and training made them elite people of the literate world

Society of Jesus in Europe and Abroad• Multifaceted- education, literary, and scientific

activities, pastoral care and overseas missions

• Jesuits could be mystical and contemplative, active, worldly, and ruthlessly rational in pursuit of goals

• Were college teachers and effective agencies of character formation

Iroquois and Algonquians• Jesuits had dealings with both tribes (peoples of

eastern woodlands)

• Wide linguistic gap separated tribes, way of life different

• Majority of their focus on Montagnais, Algonquians, Huron, and Iroquois

• Jesuits frequently referred to Five Nation Iroquois individually: Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas, and Senecas

• Managed to convert many Mohawks to Catholicism

• Were college teachers and effective agencies of character formation

Iroquois and Algonquians• Jesuits had dealings with both tribes (peoples of

eastern woodlands)

• Wide linguistic gap separated tribes, way of life different

• Majority of their focus on Montagnais, Algonquians, Huron, and Iroquois

• Jesuits frequently referred to Five Nation Iroquois individually: Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas, and Senecas

• Managed to convert many Mohawks to Catholicism

Jesuit Relations p.1-19

Jesuit Relations p.1-19

The Colonization of New France• Many Jesuits tried to shield converts from secular

European Influences

• Determined to reshape native thinking and behavior in conformity with Christian principles

The Canadian Missions• Almost all the missionary priests were recruited

from Jesuit colleges

• Operated a college for French Canada

• Determined to learn the native languages, writing “Superstitions” and performing spiritual baptisms on ailing and dying infants

• Published annual relations for benefit of audiences back home in France

• Relations combines personal chronicles and ethnographic description

• Works framed as works of witness, prophecy and hagiography

The Colonization of New France• Many Jesuits tried to shield converts from secular

European Influences

• Determined to reshape native thinking and behavior in conformity with Christian principles

The Canadian Missions• Almost all the missionary priests were recruited

from Jesuit colleges

• Operated a college for French Canada

• Determined to learn the native languages, writing “Superstitions” and performing spiritual baptisms on ailing and dying infants

• Published annual relations for benefit of audiences back home in France

• Relations combines personal chronicles and ethnographic description

• Works framed as works of witness, prophecy and hagiography

Ch.1 Montagnais Hunters if the Northern Woodlands

Ch.1 Montagnais Hunters if the Northern Woodlands

• Relations work written by Father Paul Le Jeune (1592-1664)

• Hunter gatherers: Had developed a lifestyle based on their inhospitable environment; sought moose and other large animals and hides, fishing & berrying

• Life required intimate knowledge of landscape and resources, also technical sophistication

• Excelled above all in transportation technology. Used birch bark canoe which carried them through rivers and was light

• Had donned snowshoes and hauled cargo on wooden toboggans in the winter

Spiritual beliefs, practices most interest of Jesuits • Religion was classified as “animism”, spirits could

be harmful or helpful to humans

• Told stories of supernatural creatures and magical heroes as a way to convey the world

• Consulted men & women who possessed spiritual powers

• Looked for insight in their dreams

• Relations work written by Father Paul Le Jeune (1592-1664)

• Hunter gatherers: Had developed a lifestyle based on their inhospitable environment; sought moose and other large animals and hides, fishing & berrying

• Life required intimate knowledge of landscape and resources, also technical sophistication

• Excelled above all in transportation technology. Used birch bark canoe which carried them through rivers and was light

• Had donned snowshoes and hauled cargo on wooden toboggans in the winter

Spiritual beliefs, practices most interest of Jesuits • Religion was classified as “animism”, spirits could

be harmful or helpful to humans

• Told stories of supernatural creatures and magical heroes as a way to convey the world

• Consulted men & women who possessed spiritual powers

• Looked for insight in their dreams

Paul Le Jeune winters with Mestigoit’s band 1633-1634• Mestigoit- “my host” hunting party leader that

Jeune followed

• Goal of Jeune to improve his knowledge of the native language and customs and recognize the truths of Christianity

Paul Le Jeune- Journal 1634• In early snows, Indians seek beaver in small rivers

and porcupines upon the land

• Deep snows, hunt moose & caribou

• Carried wheel-less chariots (toboggan) over snow

• Each Indian arranges own baggage

Paul Le Jeune winters with Mestigoit’s band 1633-1634• Mestigoit- “my host” hunting party leader that

Jeune followed

• Goal of Jeune to improve his knowledge of the native language and customs and recognize the truths of Christianity

Paul Le Jeune- Journal 1634• In early snows, Indians seek beaver in small rivers

and porcupines upon the land

• Deep snows, hunt moose & caribou

• Carried wheel-less chariots (toboggan) over snow

• Each Indian arranges own baggage

Paul Le Jeune with MontagnaisPaul Le Jeune with MontagnaisHunting & Fishing 1634• Indians clever in traps fir beaver, valued dogs

• In winter beavers are captured in nets and under ice

Beliefs, Superstitions, Errors, of the Montagnais• Believe a certain being named Atahocam created

the world, and Messou restored it

• World was restored after flood destroyed it (Noah?)

• Messou had children who have repopulated world

• All animals have an elder brother the source and origin of all individuals

• Progenitor of the seasons- Nipinovkhe (spring & summer), Pipounoukhe (cold season), Khichikouai ( light or air)

Good Things• Abundance of physical advantages: Tall, erect,

strong, well proportioned, agile

• Mind in good quality, more clever than peasants

• Content with basic substance, contempt and happy

Hunting & Fishing 1634• Indians clever in traps fir beaver, valued dogs

• In winter beavers are captured in nets and under ice

Beliefs, Superstitions, Errors, of the Montagnais• Believe a certain being named Atahocam created

the world, and Messou restored it

• World was restored after flood destroyed it (Noah?)

• Messou had children who have repopulated world

• All animals have an elder brother the source and origin of all individuals

• Progenitor of the seasons- Nipinovkhe (spring & summer), Pipounoukhe (cold season), Khichikouai ( light or air)

Good Things• Abundance of physical advantages: Tall, erect,

strong, well proportioned, agile

• Mind in good quality, more clever than peasants

• Content with basic substance, contempt and happy

Ch.3 Disease and MedicineCh.3 Disease and Medicine• Jesuits of France knew nothing of germs, disease,

and immunity

• Were eager to learn about herbal remedies

• Priority was saving souls, put most efforts into baptizing the dying rather relieving the suffering; was not favored by natives

• Ultimate question of why sought after more than how disease spread

• Hurons attributed illness to both natural and supernatural causes

• Administered medicines from roots, bark, or leaves of certain plants and trees

• Native healers were skilled at setting broken bones and performing removal of arrows and bullets

• Superstitions regarded with horrified fascination

• Huron medical procedures involved mind and body

• In Europe, illness was individual problem; the Hurons kept sick in the long house environment

• Jesuits of France knew nothing of germs, disease, and immunity

• Were eager to learn about herbal remedies

• Priority was saving souls, put most efforts into baptizing the dying rather relieving the suffering; was not favored by natives

• Ultimate question of why sought after more than how disease spread

• Hurons attributed illness to both natural and supernatural causes

• Administered medicines from roots, bark, or leaves of certain plants and trees

• Native healers were skilled at setting broken bones and performing removal of arrows and bullets

• Superstitions regarded with horrified fascination

• Huron medical procedures involved mind and body

• In Europe, illness was individual problem; the Hurons kept sick in the long house environment

Ch.3 Disease and MedicineCh.3 Disease and MedicineHuron medical practices• Means of a dream or by intervention of some

sorcerer

• To drive away demon, make feasts with songs

• 12 kinds of dances that constitute remedies for sickness

• 3 popular games: lacrosse, dish, straw

• Lacrosse wonderful for healthJerome Lalemant- Cure by gambling 1639• Good luck and success in their game

• Collect all things they have dreamed can bring good luck and fill carrying bags with them

• Accepting Christianity after losing gamesSatisfying the Souls Desires 1639• Ceremony of the Andaewander- a coupling of men

and girls which occurs at the end of a feast

• Great lengths to satisfy the individual involved

Huron medical practices• Means of a dream or by intervention of some

sorcerer

• To drive away demon, make feasts with songs

• 12 kinds of dances that constitute remedies for sickness

• 3 popular games: lacrosse, dish, straw

• Lacrosse wonderful for healthJerome Lalemant- Cure by gambling 1639• Good luck and success in their game

• Collect all things they have dreamed can bring good luck and fill carrying bags with them

• Accepting Christianity after losing gamesSatisfying the Souls Desires 1639• Ceremony of the Andaewander- a coupling of men

and girls which occurs at the end of a feast

• Great lengths to satisfy the individual involved

Francois Le Mercier• Indians wondered at way French cared for sick and

never saw French illThe Help• Some Indian sick were baptized• Often given admission to sick• Father superior proposed Indians give up their

belief in their dreams, marriagesMercier- Huron Baptism• “French Care only for the sick and dead” • Fixed up remedy, lemon peel-French squash,

raisins in warm water with sugarSmallpox• Far more Hurons died from plague• Calls to execute the Jesuits and liquidate French

Alliance

Francois Le Mercier• Indians wondered at way French cared for sick and

never saw French illThe Help• Some Indian sick were baptized• Often given admission to sick• Father superior proposed Indians give up their

belief in their dreams, marriagesMercier- Huron Baptism• “French Care only for the sick and dead” • Fixed up remedy, lemon peel-French squash,

raisins in warm water with sugarSmallpox• Far more Hurons died from plague• Calls to execute the Jesuits and liquidate French

Alliance

Ch.4 Diplomacy & WarCh.4 Diplomacy & War• Jesuit missions conducted through tension, war,

and shifting alliances

• European weaponry increased brutality of war, so did epidemics, trade

• Lines of conflict separated Five Nation Iroquois in the south from north alliance of Hurons, Algonquins, Montagnais, and French

• The Mohawks inflicted the greatest damage in Algonquians and French

Peace Negotiations• Peace was temporary and may never of been

intended as short break

• Gift giving played a central role

• Diplomatic relations thought to bridge language gap

Iroquois Attacks on the Algonquians, 1647• War resumed after a brief truce in spring 1647• Started when a Huron-French diplomatic mission

to Mohawk country was accused of treachery and evil magic

• The emissaries and Jesuit Isaac Jorges were killed

• Jesuit missions conducted through tension, war, and shifting alliances

• European weaponry increased brutality of war, so did epidemics, trade

• Lines of conflict separated Five Nation Iroquois in the south from north alliance of Hurons, Algonquins, Montagnais, and French

• The Mohawks inflicted the greatest damage in Algonquians and French

Peace Negotiations• Peace was temporary and may never of been

intended as short break

• Gift giving played a central role

• Diplomatic relations thought to bridge language gap

Iroquois Attacks on the Algonquians, 1647• War resumed after a brief truce in spring 1647• Started when a Huron-French diplomatic mission

to Mohawk country was accused of treachery and evil magic

• The emissaries and Jesuit Isaac Jorges were killed

Ch.4 Diplomacy & WarCh.4 Diplomacy & War• The Mohawks launched raids into St. Lawrence and

Ottawa valleys capturing several Algonquian bands

• The goal of the raids was to kill some warriors and take prisoners who would be adopted

• Caribou became infected by disease and had scared some Indians and persuaded some to join French

• Bands of Hurons were to assimilate into French religion, society

Hurons Annihilated, 1649• Iroquois stepped up attacks on Huron and were

intent on destroying all of them

• They were well equipped with guns from Dutch traders

• In March 1649 the Hurons were taken by surprise by a large Iroquois invasion

• Huron military strength and population was greatly reduced

• The Jesuits successfully converted many Hurons

• The Mohawks launched raids into St. Lawrence and Ottawa valleys capturing several Algonquian bands

• The goal of the raids was to kill some warriors and take prisoners who would be adopted

• Caribou became infected by disease and had scared some Indians and persuaded some to join French

• Bands of Hurons were to assimilate into French religion, society

Hurons Annihilated, 1649• Iroquois stepped up attacks on Huron and were

intent on destroying all of them

• They were well equipped with guns from Dutch traders

• In March 1649 the Hurons were taken by surprise by a large Iroquois invasion

• Huron military strength and population was greatly reduced

• The Jesuits successfully converted many Hurons

• The Huron tribe had been completely disassembled

• Iroquois had massacred the village of the mission of St. Ignace then the town of St. Louis

• Some Indians begged to be saved by Jesuit fathers

• The Iroquois had burned some prisoners at stakes and others brutally killed by other means

• The Huron tribe had been completely disassembled

• Iroquois had massacred the village of the mission of St. Ignace then the town of St. Louis

• Some Indians begged to be saved by Jesuit fathers

• The Iroquois had burned some prisoners at stakes and others brutally killed by other means

Ch.5 Writings on the Natural EnvironmentCh.5 Writings on the Natural Environment

• Jesuits comment on stars above and universal objects seen in the night sky

• Scientific curiosity and recording of comets, eclipses, and other “celestial phenomena”

• Regarded events as signs from God as warnings of disorder or good fortune

Montagnais Explanations of a Solar Eclipse• Algonquian and Iroquoians speculated about celestial

phenomena like thunder, eclipses, or stories of human and animal, magical/spiritual figures

Paul Le Jeune- Of Their Customs and Their Belief• Indians believe in a certain being, half human and half

nonhuman who has great love for men

• The wife, Manitou is wicked and is said to bring eternal night if she is killed

• She is also responsible for the Indian’s death

• The Sun is her heart and whoever kills her would kill the sun forever

• The sun eclipsed when the wife’s heart trembles and grows feeble

• Jesuits comment on stars above and universal objects seen in the night sky

• Scientific curiosity and recording of comets, eclipses, and other “celestial phenomena”

• Regarded events as signs from God as warnings of disorder or good fortune

Montagnais Explanations of a Solar Eclipse• Algonquian and Iroquoians speculated about celestial

phenomena like thunder, eclipses, or stories of human and animal, magical/spiritual figures

Paul Le Jeune- Of Their Customs and Their Belief• Indians believe in a certain being, half human and half

nonhuman who has great love for men

• The wife, Manitou is wicked and is said to bring eternal night if she is killed

• She is also responsible for the Indian’s death

• The Sun is her heart and whoever kills her would kill the sun forever

• The sun eclipsed when the wife’s heart trembles and grows feeble

Ch.5 Writings on the Natural EnvironmentCh.5 Writings on the Natural Environment

• Jeune claims Indians have large number of beliefs

• He classified their tales as fablesMoral Qualities of Animals• Wild animals presented as embodiment of vices

and virtuesEarthquakes, Comets, and other Prophetic Signs• Frightening and unusual phenomena occurred at a

time of grave crisis in the war against the Iroquois which had convinced many French and natives that God intended them as signs

• Scientific revolution had been underway at the time and Jesuits began to gain popularity for their discoveries in astronomy

• Also seen as biblical signs of effect of natureThree Suns and Other Aerial Phenomena• Fiery serpents flying through the air • Over Quebec, great ball of fire with thunderous

sound and cannon fire sounds• Appearance of three suns, signs of an eclipse

Universal Earthquake in Canada and Its Marvelous Effects

• February 5, 1663 a massive earthquake occurs causing widespread chaos

• Jeune claims Indians have large number of beliefs

• He classified their tales as fablesMoral Qualities of Animals• Wild animals presented as embodiment of vices

and virtuesEarthquakes, Comets, and other Prophetic Signs• Frightening and unusual phenomena occurred at a

time of grave crisis in the war against the Iroquois which had convinced many French and natives that God intended them as signs

• Scientific revolution had been underway at the time and Jesuits began to gain popularity for their discoveries in astronomy

• Also seen as biblical signs of effect of natureThree Suns and Other Aerial Phenomena• Fiery serpents flying through the air • Over Quebec, great ball of fire with thunderous

sound and cannon fire sounds• Appearance of three suns, signs of an eclipse

Universal Earthquake in Canada and Its Marvelous Effects

• February 5, 1663 a massive earthquake occurs causing widespread chaos

Of Comets and Extraordinary Signs That Have Appeared at Quebec and in its Vicinity 1664-1665

• November 29, 1664, the first comet was noticed over Quebec

• Comet seen in different locations in the sky at different times of months

Of Comets and Extraordinary Signs That Have Appeared at Quebec and in its Vicinity 1664-1665

• November 29, 1664, the first comet was noticed over Quebec

• Comet seen in different locations in the sky at different times of months