associates who were not priests received Holy Communion from his hands.
The priests at the same time offered the holy sacrifice at other altars.
With one accord they supplicated the Queen of Heaven to bless their
undertaking, and forever keep the Isle of Montreal under her special
protection. At the close of the edifying ceremony the Associates
assembled at the Hotel de Lanzon to hold their first meeting. The plan
being already matured, it was resolved that in the spring of the year
they would get ready a sufficient number of ships, three of which were
to be devoted to the transportation of such respectable and honest
families as were willing to go to Montreal and commence the foundation
of a permanent colony. They were required to take with them all the
provisions, clothing, furniture, and mechanical or other tools necessary
for the first two years, and were to take possession of the isle in the
name of Mary, whom they were to regard as their mother and mistress.

With the King's permission they were to build a city in her honor, which
was to be called Ville-Marie. Under the protection of Cardinal
Richelieu, and during the first session of the assembly, M. de Lanzon
was named administrator of the Society, M. Dauversiere being appointed
its principal agent, which duty was especially suited to him because of
his devotion to the Mother of God. When the plans were finally agreed
upon, each member made it a point of honor to contribute as generously
as possible to the success of the colony, and before the meeting broke
up they received more than two hundred thousand livres. With this
substantial aid, M. Dauversiere set to work in good earnest to prepare
for the voyage across the Atlantic, the remainder of the winter being
employed in preparing the necessary fleet. Authorized by the King, he
enlisted a number of soldiers, whom he foresaw would be required to
garrison and protect the colony. He also assembled a great number of
families who volunteered to accompany him to the New World, and devote