Father De Smet
Pierre De Smet was born in Termonde, Belgium, on January 31, 1801. While he was at seminary school, Father Charles Nerinckx, a missionary from Kentucky, visited the school. He told stories of his missions and about the unlimited opportunities to minister to the western Indian tribes. De Smet decided that he would go to America with Father Nerinckx to civilize the Indians. He was ordained a priest into the Society of Jesus on September 23, 1827.
In 1839, he met the young Iroquois Indian Ignace Los Angeles Mousse, who had married into the Flathead tribe. He had told the Flatheads about the Catholic priests in the east. The Flatheads decided they wanted these "black robes," to come teach their tribe.
When De Smet met Ignace, he immediately volunteered to go west. In July 1840, he journeyed to their camp in the Bitterroot Valley. When he arrived at their village, they had already built him a tent. The entire tribe, about 1,600 people, came out to welcome him. Their chief, Big Face, warmly welcomed him.
De Smet was encouraged by the people's willingness and soon made plans to build a permanent mission. On August 20, 1840, he headed back to St. Louis to get money and men to build the mission. On April 24, 1841, Father De Smet, two priests, and three lay brothers left St. Louis to return to the Flatheads.
De Smet explained to the Indians the advantages of a fixed home and a sense of security that they would have each spring planting time and fall harvest time. While he had been gone, they had looked for a good valley that would be their future home where they could raise crops. De Smet thought it a good location to build their permanent mission, which upon completion was named St. Mary's. The Indians attended services there faithfully.
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