Click on the image to watch the trailer of the pilgrimage
You are invited to Canada to celebrate Montreal's 375th anniversary - a journey through time to meet the city founders, men and women of great character, who worked to maintain the spirit and values of the original Ville Marie foundation. Montreal is forever marked by them.
2017 is also the 150th anniversary of Canada's Confederation. This pilgrimage will introduce you to various influential figures, whose faith and courage largely contributed to making Canada what it is today!
Come and experience Old Montreal and its surroundings, a city grounded in history yet vibrantly alive. You will have the opportunity to learn about Jeanne Mance, Paul Chomedey de Maisonneuve and Marguerite Bourgeoys, who were the spirit and heart of the new colony. A "crazy endeavour" initiated in France by Jérôme Le Royer de la Dauversière with the invaluable support of Jean-Jacques Olier and the Society of Our Lady of Montreal.
This pilgrimage will, therefore, take place in the intimacy of these heroes and under their protection. Our goal will be to relive together the founding moments that were imbued with charity and the desire to commune with God through others. You will also have several opportunities to meet and share with the people here.
"There are moments in life when time expands. There are also times when we remember the past, when we long for the future, waiting for moments of salvation. Thus we pass through gates that take us, from a given time to another. These passages are important because they ground our action in the present, through the remembrance of the time of our founders, of the time of our own fundamental choices, and those times thrust us forward, on the wings of hope."
Translation of an extract from "Capsules de pèlerinage", by Jean-Marc Rufiange.
INFORMATION
When : From August 18 to August 28, 2017
Cost: 1 650 US$ Single occupancy or 1 550$ double occupancy (One double bed or two twin beds).
This package includes: all transportation (airfare, minibus), overnight stays, breakfasts, lunches as well as tour and travel guides
At your expense: the cost of visits to museums, souvenirs and some meals at the restaurant
To reserve your place: a non-refundable deposit of 150 US$ is requested.
In order to promote a friendly atmosphere that is adapted to each:
the group will be composed of a maximum of 15 people. Acceptance will be based on first come, first served.
* The price is subject to adjustment depending on currency fluctuation
For more information or to indicate your interest, please call: +1 (438) 883-7749 (Canada) or Victor Ulto +1 (772) 336-9956 (USA). You can also write to us:
FROM VILLE-MARIE TO MONTREAL
1st step
Visit the Chapel of Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours (a jewel of history)
Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal (inspired by the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris)
Mary Queen of the World Cathedral (modeled after Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome)
Pointe-à-Callière (the birthplace of Montreal)
Place d'Armes (the beating heart of the city)
Place Ville Marie (a cross-shaped building and a prestigious complex)
Downtown Montreal (the business district)
The museum of the Hospitalières de l'Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal and a visit to the crypt.
and other museums…
Our itinerary will lead you to the cross on top of Mount Royal**, a Montreal iconic landmark, first erected by Paul de Chomedy in Thanksgiving for God's protection. Visit also Saint-Joseph's Oratory, the largest sanctuary dedicated to Saint Joseph in the world. (Alternate activities are possible for travelers with reduced mobility).
"We no longer know - but have we ever known? - to what extent the beginnings of Montreal are unique and breathtaking. The early days of Montreal are marked with a greatness, a surpassing, a transcendent vision that have few equivalents in the history of peoples. " Monique Proulx, Quebec writer and screenwriter. To learn more about the foundation of Montreal, click here.
OTTAWA, CANADA'S CAPITAL
2nd step
The city of Ottawa is located in Ontario just outside the Quebec border. This area was a land established by the Outaouais Nation (Amerindians). It is in Ottawa that is located the Parliament of Canada, an officially bilingual country (French and English). In this city, traversed by a canal of 202 meters, you will enjoy the warm and particular atmosphere of a city inhabited by two cultures and two languages. On the way, we will stop at Kahnawake, a Mohawk Indian Reserve, it is here that we will meet Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, the Lily of the Mohawks.
When the time came to create the country, the Founders of the Canadian Federation did not want to, strictly speaking, neither become a monarchy - a political structure that was strongly criticized at the time - nor a Republic, even though the latter was popular. So they created a Dominion. The name of this new political form, as well as Canada's motto, are inspired from the Psalm 72. This psalm announces that the dominion of God will extend "from sea to sea and from the river unto the ends of the earth". For more on the history… click here
VALCOURT IN THE EASTERN TOWNSHIPS
3rd step
We suggest a stop at Valcourt, the village where Joseph-Armand Bombardier, a leading figure in Quebec, invented the snowmobile! The Museum of Inventiveness will make you discover this exceptional man who has repeatedly demonstrated that faith in God can overcome all obstacles! We will also follow the trail to the cross on Mount Valcourt**, erected in 1950 by J-A Bombardier and its employees. Furthermore, in honour of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the apparition of the Holy Family at Fatima, you will be especially invited to the Hermitage of October 13th, located in a little village nearby. (Alternate activities are possible for travelers with reduced mobility).
QUEBEC CITY AND THE SURROUNDING AREA
4th step
Quebec City, founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain is located on the North shore of St. Lawrence River. Here, the river narrows and a string of islands makes the access difficult downstream. A 98-meter high stone ridge, called Cap Diamant, overlooks the river. The name "Québec" is probably derived from an Algonquin word which means "narrowing of the river". We will stroll through the streets of the old city; our itinerary will be punctuated by unique encounters and stunning sites: Mary of the Incarnation Center, Our Lady of Quebec Basilica, Place Royale, Notre-Dame-des-Victoires, the Château Frontenac and the Plains of Abraham.
On our way to Montmorency Falls, we will drive by the Huron Wendake Reservation and visit the western part of the beautiful Orleans Island, site of the oldest settlements in New France. By leaving the region, we will visit Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré Shrine, a place that will surprise you in many ways!
CAPE TRINITY AND THE SAGUENAY FJORD
5th step
We will end our journey with Our Lady of Saguenay, on one of the three elevations of Cape Trinity, a rocky wall overlooking Eternity Bay in the Saguenay Fjord. You will enter a land beyond time and space in a place where nature has deployed huge forces to create a fjord, striking image of Mary's protection who watches and protects this country of the New World! To get there, we will walk on a segment of the road named Notre-Dame-Kapatakan, Amerindian word for "path".
