As one of the first female missionaries to the New World and the author of a classic mystical autobiography, Marie de l'Incarnation has long been seen as an exemplary type, reflecting the mood and aims of the Catholic Reformation. In contrast to studies which portray her against the backdrop of religious trends in Catholic Reformation France, this book argues that the New France wilderness was the crucial context for the formation of her spiritual identity.

Marie de l'Incarnation brought her traditional notions to bear on her encounter with the Amerindians, but was soon compelled to adjust her views on the natives and the nature of religious experience. A close textual analysis of her writings makes it clear that her mysticism was informed by the images of her tradition, but also gave new meaning to old concepts.

1. Beyond its relevance for those interested in this mystic, the book addresses the broader issue of shifting attitudes and boundaries in early modern religious life and demonstrates the need for more variegated typologies of mystical experience in studies on spiritual literature.