The Life of Father De Smet, SJ: Apostle of the Rocky Mountains

by Eugène Laveille

What a story! Fr. Pierre De Smet (1801-1873) is mentioned in U.S. history books almost as a footnote, but there was in the mid-19th century America no single person the American Indians trusted as they did this Jesuit Priest. He was "more powerful than an army" at a huge treaty conference of U.S. officials and the Western Indian nations near Laramie in 1851, and he was the chief negotiator at another, with the Sioux, in 1868. Impr. 431 pgs, PB

Genres: Catholic, Biography, Nonfiction, History

432 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1981

Reviews

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lot we can learn about respecting cultures and inculturation from Fr. De Smet. Highly recommended for anyone who endeavors to mission to cultures outside their own.

[Justin Tomac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Contains a lot of history of the Missouri Valley travels and plains Indians

[Sandralena Hanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book I couldn't put down. Father de Smet deserves to be better known for his role in the early pioneer days and conversion of the Native Americans. He was pivotal in quelling the rising tide of war with the Indians, working with the Dept of the Interior, demanding better treatment of the tribes, and asking the government to honor their agreements with them. If Father de Smet had been heeded, the last stand of Custer would have been averted, as he was instrumental in getting Sitting Bull to agree to an early treaty.

As for his deprivations - sleeping openly in the mountains and plains, traveling an amount equal to many times around the earth while he cared spiritually and materially for the needs of the many tribes, in hunger and thirst - he counted it but little since his joy in "his children" was great, and the pursuit of souls for Heaven drove him with Divine abandonment. He didn't want honors or an administration job in civilization, but only to be with his Indians, who traveled sometimes for months to reach him and beg him to come back with them to their tribe and teach them about the Great Spirit.

This book leaves you wondering why Rome never canonized him, for he was truly a second St. Francis Xavier, and was known as such during his lifetime.

[Steve Cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Needs to be a feature film. How does any history book not mention this?

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Father De Smet was a most remarkable man, with a most amazing life. If this were a novel, it would be dismissed as improbable. Truly he was a man from the days when Jesuits were giants.

[Ryan Moon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great overview of the life of one of North America's greatest missionary priests. Definitely worth a read for those who live in the Pacific and inland northwest.