March 18

Births - Religious Figures & Clergy

1597day.year

Jérôme le Royer de la Dauversière

(1597 - 1659)

French religious leader, founded the Société Notre-Dame de Montréal

French religious leader founded the Société Notre-Dame de Montréal

French religious visionary who founded the mission that became Montreal.

Born in 1597 in La Flèche, France, he devoted his life to charitable works. He co-founded the Société Notre-Dame de Montréal to establish a Catholic colony in New France. Dauversière recruited settlers and clergy to found Ville-Marie in 1642, the future Montreal. He promoted care for Indigenous peoples and the spiritual mission of the colony. His vision laid the foundations for one of North America’s most enduring cities.

1597 Jérôme le Royer de la Dauversière Société Notre-Dame de Montréal

1874day.year

Nikolai Berdyaev

(1874 - 1948)

Russian-French philosopher and theologian

A Russian-French philosopher and theologian renowned for his explorations of personalism and Christian existentialism.

Born in 1874 near Moscow, Berdyaev became one of the leading Christian philosophers of the 20th century. After his exile from Soviet Russia, he settled in France where he produced his most influential works. He critiqued Marxism and materialism, emphasizing human freedom and spiritual creativity. His major writings include 'The Origins of Russian Communism' and 'The Meaning of the Creative Act'. Berdyaev's legacy endures in modern discussions of personalist and existential thought.

1874 Nikolai Berdyaev