Angelus (9 September 1984)

On Sunday, 9 September 1984, the Holy Father spoke briefly at the Angelus in the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Quebec.

Dear Brothers and Sisters ,

Arriving in Quebec , I thank you for receiving me immediately in your cathedral. It is a pleasure for me to find in this place the Archbishop of Quebec, Monsignor Louis-Albert Vachon, with his auxiliary bishops, surrounded by the cathedral chapter, their collaborators and representatives of the communities that constitute the living Church in the historic heart of your Province. All of you, I greet you very cordially.

I also greet the Mayor of Quebec and the civil dignitaries present. I express my gratitude to them for their very courteous welcome and for all the care they have taken to organize in their city this first stage of my pastoral visit to Canada, in collaboration with the bishops.

In a moment, I will have the opportunity to visit the tomb of your first bishop, Blessed François de Laval. But how can we not mention here the figure of this founder? He came to Quebec as an ardent witness to the spiritual renewal in which he had participated in France, as a missionary, as a pastor. As a Vicar Apostolic, he was concerned to properly connect with the Apostolic See of Rome the Christian community then in its infancy, whose influence would extend throughout most of North America. He experienced the joy of founding a diocese in its own right, further strengthening these trusting ties with the Pope. My coming among you illustrates its durability.

When meeting the community of this diocese, it is good that I was able to go straight to this Cathedral Basilica. The primary place of the episcopal ministry, the center from which the presbytery radiates into the parishes and other institutions, a center of prayer, the mother church reminds everyone of the unity of the body of Christ whose members are diverse but participate in the same life. With you now I would like to give thanks for the Word and the Bread of life given in this place and transmitted far and wide. With you I ask God to give you the strength to accomplish your missions in hope and joy.

We entrust our prayer to Our Lady of Quebec to whom this basilica is dedicated. May the Mother of the Lord support the sons and daughters of Quebec in the faith and pure generosity of which she is the admirable witness! We invoke her in simplicity through the prayer of the angelic salutation.

© Copyright 1984 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana

Copyright © Dicastero per la Comunicazione - Libreria Editrice Vaticana