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Dedicated to Saint Gabriel Lalemant, S.J. Martyred March 17, 1649. Gabriel Lalemant, a Parisian, became a Jesuit at age 19. His ambition was to labour in the Missions and he asked to be sent to the Canadian Missions. He was “one of the most feeble and delicate in health.” A scholar, he was professor of Philosophy, and dean of studies in French Colleges. In 1646, his repeated request to be sent to New France was granted. He left immediately. In Canada, he wanted to go at once to Huronia in September, 1648 where in words of Scriptures, he was destined to complete a long time in a short space. In Huronia seven months, just beginning to speak native tongue, he was sent to assist Brébeuf in February, 1649. He was captured with Brébeuf and tortured for seventeen hours at the stake. Gabriel Lalemant died on March 17th in his 39th year, at St. Ignace, six miles from St. Marie.
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North America
