Collection 0700-3031 - Joseph Cadot, S.J. Collection

Joseph Cadot, S.J. was born in St-Félix-de-Valois, Quebec on August 1, 1860, and after studies at Collège de Montréal and Collège Sainte-Marie, he entered the novitiate at Sault-au-Récollet in February of 1883. He completed his studies between Collège Sainte-Marie and Immaculée-Conception, including a teaching stint at the former, and was ordained to the priesthood in July of 1894.

Father Cadot served as Minister at Collège Sainte-Marie from 1895 to 1898 and worked as a spiritual director for young professionals. Throughout this time, however, he continued to request appointment to the Northern Ontario missions, and was finally sent to Sault Ste-Marie in 1903. Here, he worked in Steelton ministering to a working-class community of Italian and Slavic immigrants, most of whom were employed by the Algoma Steel Corporation. Father Cadot helped organize a new parish here and learned both English and Italian.

In 1904, Father Cadot relocated to Cape Croker Reserve on the Bruce Peninsula, where he would remain until 1931. Father Cadot learned Ojibwe and oversaw the communities at Saugeen, Christian Island, Rama, Moose Point, Lion’s Head, and Tobermory. He was an advocate for education and self-reliance of the youth there, looked after the maintenance of the church property, and helped provide and advocate for the church’s library and recreational facilities. In the 1920s, with the advent of the car, Father Cadot purchased his own and frequently travelled to his various mission sites; he earned the nickname Waiasseshkang, “the one who brings light to the heart and spirit.”

In 1931, Cadot relocated to Saugeen, then to Chippewa Hill from 1932 to 1937, at which point he retired to the Jesuit novitiate in Guelph. He died in 1947.