Pierre Lambert de la Motte was born in Normandy in 1624 into a pious noble family. After studying law, and a brief but distinguished career in civil administration, he entered the Congregation of the Assumption, a lay association. In 1657, he volunteered as a missionary in Asia, was appointed Titular Bishop of Beirut and left for Asia in 1660. Arrived in Siam, he made pastoral visits in Cochinchina (Southern Vietnam) and throughout Vietnam, educating and ordaining native priests, giving co...