Jean de Brébeuf's Writings:
A Study

Originally published in two volumes under the title

Étude sur les écrits de
Saint Jean de Brébeuf
by
René Latourelle, S.J.
1953

Translated by
©William Lonc, S.J. and George Topp, S.J.
Volume 2 in the series: Early Jesuit Missions in Canada
ISBN 0-9687053-2-4

Printed in Canada
Anniversary Edition

First printing: 100 copies, Summer 2001, commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Martyr's Shrine, Midland, Ontario

©Published by William Lonc; william.lonc@stmarys.ca
Produced and Distributed by Steve Catlin, Hamilton, Ont., Archivist at the Martyr's Shrine, Midland, Ontario, scatlin@pathcom.com

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Brébeuf's Writings
Table of Contents

Preface: i
Translators' Preface: v

General Introduction: 1

Volume 1

Section 1: The writings of Saint Jean de Brébeuf

1. Catalog of his writings: 12
2. Authenticity of his writings: 27
3. Editions and Translations of his writings: 33

Section 2: The Relations of 1635 and of 1636

Introduction: 37

Part I: Brébeuf: Pioneer of Huronia: 42
1) Departure for Huronia: 44
2) Life in a canoe, or the code of a good voyageur: 47
3) The route: 50
4) Conditions of travel: Ordinary difficulties: 53
5) Extraordinary difficulties: 61
6) Journey's length and end: 65
7) Soul of the leader: 67

Part 2: Brébeuf: Ethnologist. 70
Introduction: 70

The environment and people of Huronia: 78
1) Territory and population: 78
2) Means of subsistence: 80
3) Economy and trade: 84
4) Habitat: 85
5) Human development: 89
6) Language: 96

Social and Political Institutions: 101
1) Social structure: 102
2) Political organization: Chiefs and Councils: 109
3) Juridical phenomena: 116
4) Public celebrations: Feasts, Dances, Games: 122
Conclusion: 128

Religious beliefs and practices: 130
Introduction: 130
1) Cosmogony of the Hurons: 135
2) Everyday Religion: 140
a) Religious attitudes and sentiment: 140
b) Dreams, the universal standard: 145
c) The sorcerers: 151
3) Cult of the Dead: 159
a)Life beyond the grave: 160
b) Mourning and burial: 163
c) Feast of the dead: 166
Conclusion: 170

Part 3: Brébeuf: Founder of the Huron Mission: 173
Introduction: 173
1) Residences or Missions: 174
2) Means of Evangelization: 180
a) Mastery of the language: 180
b) Power of love: 185
c) Instruction and Catechism: 188
3) Stumbling Blocks: 194
4) The Apostle of Huronia: 207
Conclusion: 211

Volume 2

Section 3: Published Letters

Introduction: 213
1. A Note on the Huron called Sasounat: 214
2. Brébeuf to Fr. Paul Le Jeune, July 1634: 219
3. Instruction to our Fathers who will be sent to Huronia: 221
4. Brébeuf to Fr. Paul Le Jeune, 28 October, 1637: 227
5. Brébeuf to Fr. Jérome Lalemant, 1639. 233

Section 4: Unpublished Letters

Introduction : 239
l. Brébeuf to Fr. Julien Perrault, May 31, 1631: 247
2. Brébeuf to a Jesuit at Rouen, July 3, 1634: 249
3. Brébeuf to Mutius Vitelleschi, 1636: 252
4. " " " May 20, 1637: 265
5. " " " May 13, 1639: 282
6. " " " August 20, 1641: 292
7. " " " October 1, 1642: 315
8. " " " September 3, 1643: 326
9. " Vincent Carafa, June 2, 1648: 337

Section 5: Spiritual Notes

Introduction: Brébeuf. Mystic and Martyr: 351
1) Under the Banner of the Cross: 353
2) Great Friendships: 366
3) First Mystic of New France: 382
4) Human influences and personal vocation: 407
5) Text of Brébeuf's Spiritual Diary, Translation and Commentary: 416
6) Two Huron texts: Iesous Ahatonnia and Huron Prayer: 456
General Conclusion: 461

Bibliography: 469

Index: 483

Others Books: 497

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