Vital - Justin Grandin was born in Saint-Pierre-la-Coeur
(France) on 8 February 1829, to father Jean and mother Marie Veillard.
Grandin was a sickly child, whose poor health and speech impediment was
present for the duration of his life. Those handicaps, however, did not
prevent him from answering a spiritual calling. After completing his education
at the Oblates of Mary Immaculate-run Grand Séminaire, Grandin was ordained
as a priest in the Roman Catholic Church on 23 April 1854. A month later he
was sent overseas as a missionary to the Canadian NorthWest.
While always working under the authority of Bishop Taché of St. Boniface, Grandin spent
time in Fort Chipewyan, at La Nativité mission, then on to Île-à-la-Crosse. It was here,
in December of 1857, that he was named coadjutor bishop of St. Boniface, which meant that
he would assist Taché in the administration of this massive parish that encompassed most
of the northwest. At Taché's request the parish was divided in 1869, creating the vicariate
of Saskatchewan. Subsequently, in September of 1871, the diocese of St. Albert was created,
and it was here that Grandin, as bishop, would spend the remainder of his life.
A tireless advocate for the advancement of local First Nations and
Métis
peoples, Grandin was generally more accepting of Aboriginal culture and tradition than many of his colleagues.
As a testament to his nature, Grandin, although adamantly opposed to the ideologies of Louis
Riel, remained sympathetic to the Métis and Aboriginal people during the Northwest Rebellion,
believing that their treatment by Ottawa had created the conditions of poverty and suffering that
had led to the uprise.
Grandin also attempted to mentor Indigenous peoples into the clergy, an
action that many of his colleagues were unsupportive of. Although his various efforts in this
cause proved largely unsuccessful, in 1890 he did ordain Édouard Cunnigham, the northwest's first
Métis priest.
Despite his poor health, Grandin was renowned for his devotion to his faith and skills as
an administrator. Under his direction the St. Albert diocese was expanded, and new posts,
such as Brocket, Cluny and Our Lady of Peace were added. He also oversaw the construction
of new schools, hospitals, orphanages and even a seminary. Grandin allowed female religious
orders and secular clergy to help administer many of these institutions. He also worked diligently
to meet the needs of Catholics in the growing communities of Edmonton and Calgary, through the
construction of new churches. Moreover, Grandin also sought to increase the influence of Roman
Catholics in the region by working with individuals such as Abbé Jean-Baptiste Morin in encouraging
the growth of Francophone settlement. Grandin's efforts here included overseas recruitment drives.
Although deteriorating health was becoming more burdensome, Bishop Grandin continued
to administer the St. Albert diocese into his final years, although somewhat reluctantly.
In the late 1800s, he submitted his resignation, only to meet with Rome's refusal (although
they did appoint Émile-Joseph Legal as coadjutor in 1897). Vital-Justin Grandin continued
to serve as bishop of St. Albert until his death on 3 June 1902. In 1966 the Roman Catholic
Church had him venerated.
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