René-Charles de Breslay
Encyclopedia
René-Charles de Breslay was born and educated in France where he spent a number of years as “gentleman in waiting of the privy chamber of the king”. Following this period, he entered the order of Saint-Sulpice and became a Sulpician in 1689.
Breslay came to New France
in 1694 and was stationed in Montreal
; first as a curate and then as a parish priest at Notre-Dame. He became fluent in Algonquin
and in March 1703, moved as parish priest to the Saint-Louis Mission in Sainte-Anne-du-bout-de-l'Ile, succeeding priest François-Saturnin Lascaris d'Urfé
. This parish was initially located at the western end of Montreal Island
at Pointe-Caron (at the site of the present-day Baie-d'Urfé
yacht club) and he was able to establish an Algonquin mission at Île-aux-Tourtres, a project much promoted and planned for by another Sulpician, Michel Barthélemy
. Breslay moved the mission from Baie d'Urfé to Isle aux tourtes, for the Nipissing Indians. Then after an accident where he broke his leg, he invoked Saint Anne
if he were to survive, which he did. So he founded the parish of Sainte-Anne-du-bout-de-l'Isle
, at the extremity of Montreal Island.
Breslay spent 16 years serving that area during which he was involved in three important events: the first saw the establishment of a new parish, the second was his interactions with Governor Philippe de Rigaud Vaudreuil
regarding the brandy question and the third involved his assistance to François Dollier de Casson
with the canal project to bypass Sault-Saint-Louis
.
Father Breslay went to France in (1719–20) to discuss his missions and the brandy problem. There he met the Comte de Saint-Pierre who had been granted the lands then known as Île Saint Jean
and Breslay was recruited to be the first parish priest on Île Saint Jean (Prince Edward Island). At the same time he was made vicar general of the bishopric of Quebec. He spent about two years there with another Sulpician, Marie-Anselme de Metivier and together they began the structure of what became the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlottetown
.
After another voyage to France, Father Breslay, returned to Louisbourg (Île Royale), and subsequently was appointed to Annapolis Royal. A good beginning under Lieutenant-Governor Doucett
turned to fleeing from Lieutenant-Governor Armstrong
. When Governor Richard Philipps
returned to Annapolis in 1729, he was restored to his parish. He retired the next year to France.
Breslay contributed significantly to the New World during his various postings. However, he appears to have had frequent conflicts with a variety of colonial authorities.
Breslay came to New France
New France
New France was the area colonized by France in North America during a period beginning with the exploration of the Saint Lawrence River by Jacques Cartier in 1534 and ending with the cession of New France to Spain and Great Britain in 1763...
in 1694 and was stationed in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
; first as a curate and then as a parish priest at Notre-Dame. He became fluent in Algonquin
Algonquin language
Algonquin is either a distinct Algonquian language closely related to the Ojibwe language or a particularly divergent Ojibwe dialect. It is spoken, alongside French and to some extent English, by the Algonquin First Nations of Quebec and Ontario...
and in March 1703, moved as parish priest to the Saint-Louis Mission in Sainte-Anne-du-bout-de-l'Ile, succeeding priest François-Saturnin Lascaris d'Urfé
François-Saturnin Lascaris d'Urfé
François-Saturnin Lascaris d'Urfé was a French Sulpician Roman Catholic priest known as the first resident priest in the parish of Saint-Louis du Haut de l'Île in what became the town of Baie-D'Urfé on the Island of Montreal in New France....
. This parish was initially located at the western end of Montreal Island
Island of Montreal
The Island of Montreal , in extreme southwestern Quebec, Canada, is located at the confluence of the Saint Lawrence and Ottawa Rivers. It is separated from Île Jésus by the Rivière des Prairies....
at Pointe-Caron (at the site of the present-day Baie-d'Urfé
Baie-d'Urfé, Quebec
Baie-D'Urfé is a suburb located near to the western tip of the Island of Montreal, in Quebec, Canada. After the amalgamation of the Island's 27 distinct municipalities, it was merged on January 1, 2002 with neighbouring Beaconsfield to create the borough of Beaconsfield–Baie-D'Urfé, in the new...
yacht club) and he was able to establish an Algonquin mission at Île-aux-Tourtres, a project much promoted and planned for by another Sulpician, Michel Barthélemy
Michel Barthélemy
Michel Barthélemy was born in France, became a Sulpician priest and came to New France in 1665. He was sent as a missionary to the Algonquins with François Dollier de Casson to learn their language and study their way of life....
. Breslay moved the mission from Baie d'Urfé to Isle aux tourtes, for the Nipissing Indians. Then after an accident where he broke his leg, he invoked Saint Anne
Saint Anne
Saint Hanna of David's house and line, was the mother of the Virgin Mary and grandmother of Jesus Christ according to Christian and Islamic tradition. English Anne is derived from Greek rendering of her Hebrew name Hannah...
if he were to survive, which he did. So he founded the parish of Sainte-Anne-du-bout-de-l'Isle
Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec
Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue is a town located at the western tip of the Island of Montreal in southwestern Quebec, Canada. It is the second oldest community in Montreal's West Island, having been founded as a parish in 1703...
, at the extremity of Montreal Island.
Breslay spent 16 years serving that area during which he was involved in three important events: the first saw the establishment of a new parish, the second was his interactions with Governor Philippe de Rigaud Vaudreuil
Philippe de Rigaud Vaudreuil
Philippe de Rigaud, Marquis de Vaudreuil was a French politician, who was Governor-general of New France from 1703 to 1725....
regarding the brandy question and the third involved his assistance to François Dollier de Casson
François Dollier de Casson
François Dollier de Casson was born in France into a wealthy bourgeois and military family. He began his adult life in the army which he left after three years to continue his studies and become a priest....
with the canal project to bypass Sault-Saint-Louis
Lachine Rapids
The Lachine Rapids are a series of rapids on the Saint Lawrence River, between the Island of Montreal and the south shore. They are located near the former city of Lachine....
.
Father Breslay went to France in (1719–20) to discuss his missions and the brandy problem. There he met the Comte de Saint-Pierre who had been granted the lands then known as Île Saint Jean
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is a Canadian province consisting of an island of the same name, as well as other islands. The maritime province is the smallest in the nation in both land area and population...
and Breslay was recruited to be the first parish priest on Île Saint Jean (Prince Edward Island). At the same time he was made vicar general of the bishopric of Quebec. He spent about two years there with another Sulpician, Marie-Anselme de Metivier and together they began the structure of what became the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlottetown
Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlottetown
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlottetown is a Roman Catholic diocese which comprises the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island. It is currently led by Bishop Richard John Grecco...
.
After another voyage to France, Father Breslay, returned to Louisbourg (Île Royale), and subsequently was appointed to Annapolis Royal. A good beginning under Lieutenant-Governor Doucett
John Doucett
John Doucett was probably of French descent although he did not speak the language and was likely born in England. He was a career military man and, from 1702 on, received several promotions....
turned to fleeing from Lieutenant-Governor Armstrong
Lawrence Armstrong
Lawrence Armstrong was a lieutenant-governor of Nova Scotia and acted as a replacement for the governor, Richard Philipps, during his long absences from the colony....
. When Governor Richard Philipps
Richard Philipps
General Richard Philipps was said to have been in the employ of William III as a young man and for his service gained the rank of Captain in the British army. He served at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690 and made the rank of Lt. Col. in 1712.In 1717 he was appointed Governor of Nova Scotia by...
returned to Annapolis in 1729, he was restored to his parish. He retired the next year to France.
Breslay contributed significantly to the New World during his various postings. However, he appears to have had frequent conflicts with a variety of colonial authorities.