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 interim duties of the diocese, at least as far as the exclusively episcopal functions were concerned, he learned to understand and appreciate at their true value the sacrifices of the Charron Brothers, whose work was unfortunately to remain fruitless.

In 1688 three pious laymen, MM.  Jean Francois Charron, Pierre Le Ber, and Jean Fredin had established in Montreal a house with a double purpose of charity:  to care for the poor and the sick, and to train men and send them to open schools in the country districts.  Their plan was approved by the king, sanctioned by the bishop of the diocese, encouraged by the seigneurs of the island, and welcomed by all the citizens with gratitude.  In spite of these symptoms of future prosperity the work languished, and the members of the community were separated and scattered one after the other.  M. Charron did not lose courage.