Background
Babineau was born the son of prosperous farmers in New Brunswick.
Babineau was born the son of prosperous farmers in New Brunswick.
He received his early education locally and then studied at Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pocatière in Canada East.
He pursued further studies for the priesthood at Quebec City, and was ordained in 1851 by Bishop Charles-François Baillargeon. Babineau returned to his home province to minister and served in a number of parishes. In 1859 at Cap-Pelé, he singlehandedly saw a number of his parishioners through a smallpox epidemic.
In 1864, François-Xavier became the first resident priest for Cap-Pelé and, over a number of years, ministered there and at Buctouche, New Brunswick.
In 1878, being unhappy with his postings, he left the ministry. In 1881, he obtained a teaching certificate and finished his life in that capacity.
