Jacques-Désiré Laval
Jacques-Désiré Laval (18 September 1803 – 9 September 1864) was a French Roman Catholic priest who served in the missions in Mauritius; he was a professed member from the Spiritans. He is known as the "Apostle of Mauritius" due to his tireless work in aiding the poor and ill. Laval also educated the flock he was assigned to for those people were uneducated and were former slaves for the most part. His skills in medicine made him a distinguished figure in the region since his expertise allowed him to tend to those who suffered illness that manifested more so during times of an epidemic.
On 29 April 1979 he became the first beatified member of his religious order.
Patron saint of Doctors; Missionaries; Slaves
In the Martyrology
- September 9 Blessed Jacques-Désiré Laval, Spiritan priest