Jean-Baptiste de La Croix de Chevrières de Saint-Vallier

Who was Jean-Baptiste de La Croix de Chevrières de Saint-Vallier?

Jean-Baptiste de la Croix de Chevrière de St. Vallier was born at Grenoble, France and he died in Quebec, Canada. His parents were Jean de La Croix de Chevrières de Saint-Vallier and Marie de Sayve. His parents owned much land and had ten children. Not much is known about Jean-Baptiste’s childhood. What is known is that he studied at the Jesuit college in Grenoble and wanted to enter the religious field. He attended the seminary of Saint-Sulpice in Paris and was ordained a priest in 1681.

In 1683 Jean-Baptiste founded a hospital in St. Vallier. He used his own money to create the hospital. He was appointed to the see of Quebec as bishop in 1685 by Louis XIV. Abbé Saint-Vallier travelled to Canada as vicar-general of Bishop Laval. He officially became Laval's successor in 1688. Going to Canada was a brave decision made by Jean-Baptiste because the Indians in Quebec were difficult to control and the morals of the people in Quebec were declining.

He visited Rome in 1701, and on his return voyage was captured by the English. During his five years of captivity he exerted his zeal in behalf of the Catholics of his neighborhood. Although released in 1709, his departure from France, where he again refused to relinquish Quebec for a richer see, was delayed till 1713.