Augustin Ravoux
Encyclopedia
Augustin Ravoux was a French
Jesuit
priest and missionary
who served in the area preceding Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
, in Minnesota
.
Ravoux was born in Langeac
, Auvergne
, France
. He left his hometown for the Diocese
in nearby Le Puy-en-Velay
, and was inducted into the clergy
via clerical tonsure
on . He received his minor orders
nearly a year later on , and became a subdeacon a year after that on . While a subdeacon at the Grand séminaire
in Le Puy-en-Velay, Ravoux was recruited by Bishop
Mathias Loras
, along with Vicar general
Joseph Crétin
, Reverend Pelamourgues
, and fellow subdeacons Lucien Galtier
, Remigius Petiot, and James Causse, to work as Jesuit missionaries out of the newly established Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Dubuque
.
The group departed Le Havre
on aboard the American brigantine
Lion until their arrival in New York Harbor
forty-four days later. Ravoux started learning the English language
while en route and then formally afterwards at Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Maryland
. Traveled to Dubuque
, where he was ordained
along with Galtier on .
Although recruited to act as a missionary to the Dakota, Ravoux began his career in the Americas at St. Gabriel's Parish in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin
, serving as its first regular pastor. It was at St. Gabriel's where Ravoux baptized
his first Native American
, in March 1840. He left Prairie du Chien to serve as a missionary in the Minnesota Territory
in September 1841.
Upon arrival in the Minnesota Territory, Ravoux spent a few days with Galtier in Mendota
before setting out on his travels. He reached Traverse des Sioux
after four days where he began his study of the Dakota language
with Louis Provencal, a Frenchman who had been trading in the area for forty-five years. After a brief stop at Little Rock, Ravoux traveled to Lac qui Parle in January 1842. Early that spring, he returned to Mendota for the summer..Jean-Baptiste Faribault
, a prolific and influential French Canadian
trader
who had an established trading post in Little Prairie (present day Chaska
), was an ardent proselytizer
and invited Ravoux to his post to continue his linguistic studies.
In 1843, Ravoux journeyed to Dubuque for encouragement from Loras and then to Prairie du Chien for a few months. There he authored the Wakantanka ti ki Chanku (The Path to the House of God), a prayer book
intended to explore the beautiful vocal abilities
of the Dakota. The book was printed on a printing press
belonging to Crétin, and translated from the French to Dakota by Alexander Faribault and his brother Oliver and David.
Upon Crétin's death on , Ravoux was named in sede vacante
the sole administrator of the diocese of the Minnesota Territory
by Bishop Kenrick
of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, a position he served until the installment of Bishop Grace in 1859.
Brigadier General
Henry Hastings Sibley
, aware of Ravoux's favorable reputation among the Dakota, recommended him to baptize
the Dakota involved in the Dakota War of 1862
. Of the thirty-eight that were hung
on , Ravoux personally baptized 33. When Chief Shakopee and Medicine Bottle were captured in Manitoba
, Ravoux baptized them and administered their Last Rites
, accompanying them up until their final moments on .
The final fifteen years of his life he spent incapacitated at St. Joseph's Hospital
, where he died at the age of 91 on . Upon his death he had been a Vicar general
for the diocese for 42 years, and a prelate in the Roman Catholic Church for 19 years.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
Jesuit
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
priest and missionary
Catholic missions
As the church normally organizes itself along territorial lines, and because they had the human and material resources, religious orders—some even specializing in it—undertook most missionary work, especially in the early phases...
who served in the area preceding Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Catholic Church in the United States. It is led by the prelature of an archbishop which administers the archdiocese from the cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis...
, in Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
.
Ravoux was born in Langeac
Langeac
Langeac is a commune in the Haute-Loire department in south-central France.It is located around 30 km west of Le Puy-en-Velay, and around 100 km south-west of Lyon.-See also:* Communes of the Haute-Loire department...
, Auvergne
Auvergne (région)
Auvergne is one of the 27 administrative regions of France. It comprises the 4 departments of Allier, Puy de Dome, Cantal and Haute Loire.The current administrative region of Auvergne is larger than the historical province of Auvergne, and includes provinces and areas that historically were not...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. He left his hometown for the Diocese
Roman Catholic Diocese of Le Puy-en-Velay
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Le Puy-en-Velay , is a diocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic church in France. The diocese comprises the whole department of Haute-Loire, in the Region of Auvergne. Currently the diocese is a suffragan of the diocese of Bourges...
in nearby Le Puy-en-Velay
Le Puy-en-Velay
Le Puy-en-Velay is a commune in the Haute-Loire department in south-central France.Its inhabitants are called Ponots.-History:Le Puy-en-Velay was a major bishopric in medieval France, founded early, though its early history is legendary...
, and was inducted into the clergy
Clergy
Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. A clergyman, churchman or cleric is a member of the clergy, especially one who is a priest, preacher, pastor, or other religious professional....
via clerical tonsure
Tonsure
Tonsure is the traditional practice of Christian churches of cutting or shaving the hair from the scalp of clerics, monastics, and, in the Eastern Orthodox Church, all baptized members...
on . He received his minor orders
Minor orders
The minor orders are the lowest ranks in the Christian clergy. The most recognized minor orders are porter, lector, exorcist, and acolyte. In the Latin rite Catholic Church, the minor orders were in most cases replaced by "instituted" ministries of lector and acolyte, though communities that use...
nearly a year later on , and became a subdeacon a year after that on . While a subdeacon at the Grand séminaire
Seminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
in Le Puy-en-Velay, Ravoux was recruited by Bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
Mathias Loras
Mathias Loras
Bishop Mathias Loras was an immigrant French priest to the United States who later became the first bishop of the Dubuque Diocese in what would become the state of Iowa.-Early Life & Ministry:...
, along with Vicar general
Vicar general
A vicar general is the principal deputy of the bishop of a diocese for the exercise of administrative authority. As vicar of the bishop, the vicar general exercises the bishop's ordinary executive power over the entire diocese and, thus, is the highest official in a diocese or other particular...
Joseph Crétin
Joseph Crétin
Joseph Crétin was the first Roman Catholic Bishop of Saint Paul, Minnesota. Cretin Avenue in St. Paul, Cretin-Derham Hall High School, and Cretin Hall at the University of St. Thomas are named for him....
, Reverend Pelamourgues
J.A.M. Pelamourgues
Jean-Antoine-Marie Pelamourgues was a French missionary who was one of the first Roman Catholic priests to serve in the Diocese of Dubuque in the state of Iowa. He served as the first pastor of St. Anthony's Church in Davenport, Iowa from 1839-1868.-Early Life & Ministry:Pelamourgues was born in...
, and fellow subdeacons Lucien Galtier
Lucien Galtier
Lucien Galtier was the first Roman Catholic priest who served in Minnesota. While he was a native of France, the place of his birth is uncertain and even the year, some sources claiming 1811 but his tomb bearing the date December 17, 1812. In the 1830s, people were settling across the Minnesota...
, Remigius Petiot, and James Causse, to work as Jesuit missionaries out of the newly established Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Dubuque
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Dubuque
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Dubuque is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the northeastern quarter of the state of Iowa in the United States. It includes all the Iowa counties north of Polk, Jasper, Poweshiek, Iowa, Johnson, Cedar, and Clinton counties. ...
.
The group departed Le Havre
Le Havre
Le Havre is a city in the Seine-Maritime department of the Haute-Normandie region in France. It is situated in north-western France, on the right bank of the mouth of the river Seine on the English Channel. Le Havre is the most populous commune in the Haute-Normandie region, although the total...
on aboard the American brigantine
Brigantine
In sailing, a brigantine or hermaphrodite brig is a vessel with two masts, only the forward of which is square rigged.-Origins of the term:...
Lion until their arrival in New York Harbor
New York Harbor
New York Harbor refers to the waterways of the estuary near the mouth of the Hudson River that empty into New York Bay. It is one of the largest natural harbors in the world. Although the U.S. Board of Geographic Names does not use the term, New York Harbor has important historical, governmental,...
forty-four days later. Ravoux started learning the English language
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
while en route and then formally afterwards at Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Maryland
Emmitsburg, Maryland
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 2,290 people, 811 households, and 553 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,992.9 people per square mile . There were 862 housing units at an average density of 750.2 per square mile...
. Traveled to Dubuque
Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque is a city in and the county seat of Dubuque County, Iowa, United States, located along the Mississippi River. In 2010 its population was 57,637, making it the ninth-largest city in the state and the county's population was 93,653....
, where he was ordained
Ordination
In general religious use, ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is, set apart as clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies. The process and ceremonies of ordination itself varies by religion and denomination. One who is in preparation for, or who is...
along with Galtier on .
Although recruited to act as a missionary to the Dakota, Ravoux began his career in the Americas at St. Gabriel's Parish in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin
Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin
Prairie du Chien is a city in and the county seat of Crawford County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 5,911 at the 2010 census. Its Zip Code is 53821....
, serving as its first regular pastor. It was at St. Gabriel's where Ravoux baptized
Baptism
In Christianity, baptism is for the majority the rite of admission , almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally and also membership of a particular church tradition...
his first Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
, in March 1840. He left Prairie du Chien to serve as a missionary in the Minnesota Territory
Minnesota Territory
The Territory of Minnesota was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 3, 1849, until May 11, 1858, when the eastern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Minnesota.-History:...
in September 1841.
Upon arrival in the Minnesota Territory, Ravoux spent a few days with Galtier in Mendota
Mendota, Minnesota
Mendota is a city in Dakota County, Minnesota, United States. The name comes from the Dakota word for "where the waters meet." The population was 198 at the 2010 census.-History:...
before setting out on his travels. He reached Traverse des Sioux
Traverse des Sioux
Traverse des Sioux is a historic site in the U.S. state of Minnesota. Once part of a preindustrial trade route, it commemorates that route, a busy river crossing on it, a nineteenth century settlement, trading post, and mission at that crossing place, a transshipment point for pelts in fur trading...
after four days where he began his study of the Dakota language
Dakota language
Dakota is a Siouan language spoken by the Dakota people of the Sioux tribes. Dakota is closely related to and mutually intelligible with the Lakota language.-Dialects:...
with Louis Provencal, a Frenchman who had been trading in the area for forty-five years. After a brief stop at Little Rock, Ravoux traveled to Lac qui Parle in January 1842. Early that spring, he returned to Mendota for the summer..Jean-Baptiste Faribault
Jean-Baptiste Faribault
Jean-Baptiste Faribault was a trader with the Indians and early settler in Minnesota.His father, Barthélemy Faribault, a lawyer of Paris, France, settled in Canada towards the middle of the 18th century and served as military secretary to the French army in Canada...
, a prolific and influential French Canadian
French Canadian
French Canadian or Francophone Canadian, , generally refers to the descendents of French colonists who arrived in New France in the 17th and 18th centuries...
trader
Merchant
A merchant is a businessperson who trades in commodities that were produced by others, in order to earn a profit.Merchants can be one of two types:# A wholesale merchant operates in the chain between producer and retail merchant...
who had an established trading post in Little Prairie (present day Chaska
Chaska, Minnesota
As of 2005, there were 22,467 people and 8,194 households residing in the city. The population density was 1,640 people per square mile . There were 6,235 housing units at an average density of 454.1 per square mile...
), was an ardent proselytizer
Proselytism
Proselytizing is the act of attempting to convert people to another opinion and, particularly, another religion. The word proselytize is derived ultimately from the Greek language prefix προσ- and the verb ἔρχομαι in the form of προσήλυτος...
and invited Ravoux to his post to continue his linguistic studies.
In 1843, Ravoux journeyed to Dubuque for encouragement from Loras and then to Prairie du Chien for a few months. There he authored the Wakantanka ti ki Chanku (The Path to the House of God), a prayer book
Breviary
A breviary is a liturgical book of the Latin liturgical rites of the Catholic Church containing the public or canonical prayers, hymns, the Psalms, readings, and notations for everyday use, especially by bishops, priests, and deacons in the Divine Office...
intended to explore the beautiful vocal abilities
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
of the Dakota. The book was printed on a printing press
Printing press
A printing press is a device for applying pressure to an inked surface resting upon a print medium , thereby transferring the ink...
belonging to Crétin, and translated from the French to Dakota by Alexander Faribault and his brother Oliver and David.
Upon Crétin's death on , Ravoux was named in sede vacante
Sede vacante
Sede vacante is an expression, used in the Canon Law of the Catholic Church, that refers to the vacancy of the episcopal see of a particular church...
the sole administrator of the diocese of the Minnesota Territory
Minnesota Territory
The Territory of Minnesota was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 3, 1849, until May 11, 1858, when the eastern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Minnesota.-History:...
by Bishop Kenrick
Francis Kenrick
Francis Patrick Kenrick was an Irish-born clergyman of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as the third Bishop of Philadelphia and the sixth Archbishop of Baltimore .-Early life and education:...
of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, a position he served until the installment of Bishop Grace in 1859.
Brigadier General
Brigadier General
Brigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
Henry Hastings Sibley
Henry Hastings Sibley
Henry Hastings Sibley was the first Governor of the U.S. state of Minnesota.-Early life and education:...
, aware of Ravoux's favorable reputation among the Dakota, recommended him to baptize
Baptism
In Christianity, baptism is for the majority the rite of admission , almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally and also membership of a particular church tradition...
the Dakota involved in the Dakota War of 1862
Dakota War of 1862
The Dakota War of 1862, also known as the Sioux Uprising, was an armed conflict between the United States and several bands of the eastern Sioux. It began on August 17, 1862, along the Minnesota River in southwest Minnesota...
. Of the thirty-eight that were hung
Hanging
Hanging is the lethal suspension of a person by a ligature. The Oxford English Dictionary states that hanging in this sense is "specifically to put to death by suspension by the neck", though it formerly also referred to crucifixion and death by impalement in which the body would remain...
on , Ravoux personally baptized 33. When Chief Shakopee and Medicine Bottle were captured in Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
, Ravoux baptized them and administered their Last Rites
Anointing of the Sick (Catholic Church)
Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament of the Catholic Church that is administered to Catholics who because of sickness or old age are in danger of death, even if the danger is not proximate...
, accompanying them up until their final moments on .
The final fifteen years of his life he spent incapacitated at St. Joseph's Hospital
St. Joseph's Hospital (St. Paul, Minnesota)
St. Joseph's Hospital is a 253-bed hospital located at 45 W. 10th St. in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota. It is one of three tertiary hospitals located in St. Paul and the first hospital in Minnesota and currently a member of the HealthEast Care System....
, where he died at the age of 91 on . Upon his death he had been a Vicar general
Vicar general
A vicar general is the principal deputy of the bishop of a diocese for the exercise of administrative authority. As vicar of the bishop, the vicar general exercises the bishop's ordinary executive power over the entire diocese and, thus, is the highest official in a diocese or other particular...
for the diocese for 42 years, and a prelate in the Roman Catholic Church for 19 years.