Our Patron Saint

St. Noel Chabanel

Noel becSaintame a Jesuit at the age of 17, a priest at 28 and a successful professor in France.  He had a strong desire to work in the Canadian missions.  He arrived in Quebec in 1643 and then traveled to Huronia.
While enthusiastic, he was unable to learn the Indian language.  He vowed that he would remain in New France.  He was very timid but determined to do God's will.  He was a "martyr in the shadows."St. Noel was killed by a renegade Huron on December 8, 1649.  His body was thrown into the Nottawasaga River and was never recovered.


In 1930, Pope Pius XI bestowed the title of saint and martyr upon Chabanel and seven other missionaries to new France:  Brebeuf, Jogues, Gabriel, Lalement, Garnier, Daniel and La lande.