ion of the
diocese to MM. Maizerets and Glandelet; as to ordinations, to the
administration of the sacrament of confirmation, and to the consecration
of the holy oils, Mgr. de Laval would be always there, ready to lavish
his zeal and the treasures of his charity. This long absence of the
chief of the diocese could not but impose new labours on Mgr. de Laval.
Never did he refuse a sacrifice or a duty, and he saw in this an
opportunity to increase the sum of good which he intended soon to lay
at the foot of the throne of the Most High. He was seventy-nine years of
age when, in spite of the havoc then wrought by the smallpox throughout
the country, he went as far as Montreal, there to administer the
sacrament of confirmation. Two years before his death, he officiated
pontifically on Easter Day in the cathedral of Quebec. "On the festival
of Sainte Magdalene," say the annals of the general hospital, "we have
had the consolation of seeing Mgr. de Laval officiate pontifically
morning and evening.... He was accompanied by numerous clergy both from
the seminary and from neighbouring missions.... We regarded this favour
as a mark of the affection cherished by this holy prelate for our
establishment, for he was never wont to officiate outside the cathedral,
and even there but rarely on account of his great age. He was then more
than eighty years old. The presence of a person so venerable by reason
of his character, his virtues, and his great age much enhanced this
festival. He gave the nuns a special proof of his good-will in the visit
which he deigned to make them in the common hall." The predilection
which the pious pontiff constantly preserved for the work of the
seminary no whit lessened the protection which he generously granted to
all the projects of education in the colony; the daughters of Mother
Mary of the Incarnation as well as the assistants of Mother Marguerite
Bourgeoys had claims upon his affection. He fostered with all his power
the establishment of the Sisters of the Congregation, both at Three
Rivers and at Quebec. His numerous works left him but little respite,
and this he spent at his school of St. Joachim in the refreshment of
quiet and rest. Like all holy men he loved youth, and took pleasure in
teaching and directing it. Accordingly, during these years when, in
spite of the sixteen _lustra_ which had passed over his venerable head,
he had to take upon himself during the long absence of his successor the
inte