To the Faithful Present in the Cathedral of Montreal (10 September 1984)

On Monday, 10 September 1984, the Holy Father addressed the faithful gathered in the Mary Queen of the World Cathedral Basilica in Montreal. Its similarity to St. Peter's Basilica in Rome symbolizes "the close union of the Church in Canada with the Holy See,” the Pope said. 

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I am very touched to begin my pilgrimage to Montreal in this Mary Queen of the World Cathedral Basilica. I find in fact, in the plan, a great similarity with St. Peter's Basilica in Rome; Monsignor Ignace Bourget, the second Bishop of Montreal, at the end of the last century, wanted to symbolize with this construction the close union of the Church in Canada with the Holy See. And it is significant that it was dedicated to Mary, under the title of Queen of the World.

Like every cathedral, it is the centre and symbol of the entire archdiocese. I greet with great joy its archbishop, Monsignor Paul Grégoire: I thank him warmly for his welcome and his words which bear witness to the pastoral closeness of his Christian people. I greet his predecessor, my venerable Brother, Cardinal Paul-Emile Léger, whose testimony of charity that he went to bring to Africa is well known. I greet the auxiliary bishops of Monsignor Grégoire, and all the other bishops of the ecclesiastical province of Montreal and the region. I am also happy to see here the Cathedral Chapter, the representatives of the presbytery, the religious, the nuns and the Christian laity. My respectful greetings also go to the Mayor of Montreal and to all the civil authorities who contributed to the organisation of my stay, with the sense of welcome and efficiency for which they are rightly renowned.

After Quebec City, it was natural for me to come to this great metropolis, so remarkable for its size, for the density and dynamism of its population of French culture, characteristic of Quebec, where English-speaking groups have their own place and where more than 25 foreign ethnic groups have acquired the right to live. Its location, the entrepreneurial spirit of its inhabitants and its leaders have given it unparalleled development, a deserved international influence; and, in recent decades, major cultural events have attracted the attention of the entire world to this city.

In the face of such development, it is all the more moving to recall the origins, both modest and marvelous: the village of Hochelaga; the hill named Mont-Réal in the time of Jacques Cartier; the initiative of the pioneers who came to found Ville-Marie, on the island of Montreal, with Paul de Chomédy, Sieur de Maisonneuve, Jeanne Mance; the apostolate of Marguerite Bourgeoys, considered the “Mother of the colony”, and how many other convinced Christians who gave their soul to the city!

The city has expanded, transformed itself, modernized itself. But God still has his place there, as this cathedral is the sign in the heart of the city. Yes, this land is holy, because God lives there, and its mystery remains like a light, like a call, like a force, in the heart of each human person, who opens himself to the will of God, like Sister Marie-Léonie whom we will proclaim blessed tomorrow. And the reflection of the presence of the Lord can be recognized in the heart of each enterprise that wants to make the city more in conformity with human dignity. God became man in Jesus Christ, so that each man may let the light and love of God penetrate into him.

We ask for this grace through Mary, in this cathedral that honors her. She gave us Christ and she continues to open his path to us. If she reigns with Him in heaven, having a share in his resurrection, it is to still serve humanity in its quest for happiness, in its quest for true freedom, in its quest for authentic progress, in its quest for love, in its quest for truth, in its quest for holiness.

Hello, Regina!

Hail, O our Queen!

Copyright © Libreria Editrice Vaticana

Copyright © Dicastero per la Comunicazione - Libreria Editrice Vaticana