The reguar clergy consisted of male and female religious communities or orders.

Male Missionary Orders

Récollets arrived in 1615 The Jesuits arrived in 1625 and attempted to convert the Native populations to Christianity. Some such as Fathers Lalémant and Brébeuf were martyred. Others such as Father Marquette were explorers and helped maintain good relations with the Natives. The Jesuits wrote the Jesuit Relations an account of their missionary work in New France.  The Sulpicians arrived in 1657 and became seigneurs of Montreal and served all its parishes.

Female Religious Communities
They established the first schools and hospitals in the colony and were amongst the first women
to arrive in New France. The most important of these communities were the:
 

Ursuline Sisters who  the first nuns to arrive in 1639. Led by Marie de l'Incarnation, they established the first schools for Native and French girls.  Hospitalières de Saint-Joseph - Jeanne Mance founded the Hotel-Dieu hospital. Congrégation de Notre-Dame - Marguerite Bourgeoys  established schools for both boys and girls.  Try the following questions on the role of the church in New France.