Portrait of François de Laval
François de Laval, was born in Montigny-sur-Avre (France) on April 30, 1623. He was the first Vicar Apostolic in New France from 1658 to 1674, and then the first Bishop of Quebec from 1674 to 1688. In 1669, while not very much in favour of the multiplication of religious orders in his diocese, Laval approved of the work done by the community founded by Marguerite Bourgeoys and granted them permission to teach everywhere in New France. At first, he would have liked to join together the Sisters of the Congrégation de Notre-Dame with the Ursulines but finally acknowledged the separate existence of each. He retired in 1688 and died on May 6, 1708.