A Deep Reading of the Jesuit Relations of New France
Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Hanley Hall - Rm. 220 at 4:00PM
St. Paul's College
Reception to follow
ABOUT THE LECTURE:
Arguably, any scholar of early modern Canada must, at some point, face the thousands of pages found in the Relations de la Nouvelle-France (The Jesuit Relations) written by Jesuit missionaries between 1632 and 1673. Broadly defined as either chronicles or propaganda, “mission literature” or calls for benefaction, these texts, filled with names, dates, events, geographical data, and very important socio-cultural observations, provide essential data about the earliest days of Canada's colonial history. As such, this lecture, in brief, provides important tools for any scholar to have at hand when approaching the Jesuit Relations and a basic overview of the religious worldview that permeates its pages.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Fr. Michael Knox, SJ is a Roman Catholic priest in the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), Vice Rector of the Regis Jesuit Community, and lecturer at Regis College, University of Toronto. After entering the Jesuit order in 1997, he completed an honours BA degree in history at St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto, followed by a diploma in philosophical studies. In 2006, he completed a MA thesis in history at Memorial University, Newfoundland, and Campion Hall, Oxford. Subsequently, in 2009, he completed a Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology and a Master of Divinity at Regis College, University of Toronto, followed by a Licentiate in Sacred Theology and an MA in Theology at the same school. In 2015, he completed a DPhil in history at Oxford University. His current research areas include early modern expressions of Ignatian Spirituality and the mission literature of the Society of Jesus.
To confirm your attendance or ask questions, please contact catholic@umanitoba.ca or (204) 474-9165
