Jeanne Mance, choices to be made
Here is the context in which find Jeanne Mance before her departure to Canada:
Imagine that you are in the XVIIth century. You were 16 years old when your health declined and became fragilized, and since then you have had to be careful to properly balance your activities. You are now 34 years old, and despite your health condition, you went through the Thirty Years War, during which you learned nursing, your mother died when you were 20 and you are the second oldest in a family of 12 children. So along with the eldest of the family, you must look after your younger brothers and sisters.
And now, your cousin Nicolas Dolebeau comes on a visit to see you in Langres. He talks about the missions in Canada. Suddenly, it stimulates your interest to leave for the missions, for since the age of 7, you have the desire to do something for God. This project echoes like a call within you and you have the flame to devote yourself to the Canadian missions. But you also have to leave your family, your country and go to a place where the Iroquois threaten you at all times. By nature, you are calm, without exaltation, wise and practical, you, therefore, realize that you do not have the physical capabilities to undertake such a project.
But, what should be done in cases where the strengths we have are not quite sufficient, as in the case of Jeanne Mance?
How will she go about ensuring that she makes the right decision? "So completely surprised we she to see herself in such a condition, tells Dollier de Casson, she wanted to reflect on the weakness of her complexion, on her past illnesses…" "She had poor health, and it was precisely that which prevented her to consider religious life."
Hesitant about which path to follow but determined to follow the right path, Jeanne Mance first consulted the rector of the Jesuit College in Langres, Father Jean Bonpain who was, according to what was reported, her counselor. He encouraged her to follow her inspiration, to go to Paris to see Father Charles Lalemant, Mission procurator in New France as well as the Rector of the nearest Jesuit house.
Once in Paris, she consulted Father Charles Lalement who also encouraged her in her project and, as agreed, met the Rector of the Jesuits, Father Saint-Jure. Her meeting with the latter was quite different. Father Saint-Jure was responsible for the Jesuit novitiate and was a leading authority on spiritual counselling. His reserved attitude stifled Jeanne Mance's enthusiasm, whose flame had built up in previous meetings. Deeply destabilized, she returned to her cousin in Paris and remained very discreet about a possible departure. Three months passed and in mid-September 1640, she was able to meet Father Saint-Jure again. The latter, after further consideration, assured her that "he had never seen so many signs of God's will as in her vocation".
Determined to respond eagerly to her early inspirations, and confirmed by the advice received, she resolutely engaged herself in the project. Obstacles vanished quickly once the decision was made. This shows it was the right choice to make: in Paris, we present her to very influential and wealthy people who welcomed her in their parlors. It is then that she met Mrs de Bullion who was looking for a person who could take charge of the foundation of a hospital in Canada. Jeanne Mance seemed to be the best person equipped for this position.
On the way!
Colombe LeRoy
Article from the website Tendances et Enjeu (Trends and Issue), published on September 16, 2012, and adapted for this publication.
