François de Laval


François de Laval
Bishop of Québec
DioceseQuebec
Appointed1 October 1674
Term ended24 January
Previous post(s)
  • Apostolic Vicar of New France (1658–1674)
  • Titular Bishop of Petra in Palaestina (1658–1674)
Orders
Ordination1 May 1647
Consecration8 December 1658
by 
Personal details
Born
François de Laval de Montmorency

(1623-04-30)30 April 1623
Died6 May 1708(1708-05-06) (aged 85)
Quebec, Viceroyalty of New France, French colonial empire
BuriedCathedral-Basilica of Notre-Dame de Québec
DenominationCatholic Church
ParentsHugues de Laval
Michelle de Péricard
Signature
Coat of arms
Sainthood
Feast day6 May
Venerated inRoman Catholic Church
Title as SaintBishop
Beatified22 June 1980
Saint Peter's Basilica, Vatican City
by Pope John Paul II
Canonized3 April 2014
Apostolic Palace, Vatican City
by Pope Francis
AttributesEpiscopal attire
ShrinesNotre-Dame de Québec Cathedral, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada

Francis-Xavier de Montmorency-Laval, commonly referred to as François de Laval (French pronunciation: [fʁɑ̃swa laval]; 30 April 1623 – 6 May 1708), was a French Catholic prelate who served as Apostolic Vicar of New France from 1658 to 1674 and as Bishop of Quebec from its creation in 1674 until he retired due to poor health in 1688. He continued to work in New France until his death in 1708.

Among his accomplishments was the founding of the Séminaire de Québec in 1663. Laval was a member of the Montmorency family, but renounced his rights as heir so he could pursue his ecclesiastical career.

He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on 22 June 1980 and Pope Francis declared him a saint on 3 April 2014.