From 1-15 June, 14 Holy Cross religious from seven countries gathered in Montreal, Quebec, in Canada for the Strength of Our Vocation Renewal Program. This was the second time during this General Administration that the Congregation’s Consecrated Life and Heritage Commission has offered this program for middle-aged religious in collaboration with Province Canadienne, Saint Joseph’s Oratory, and Centre Le Pèlerin. The first session was held in 2023.
After gathering on Sunday evening and praying at the tomb of St. André, the participants got to know one another more on Monday, sharing their vocation stories, meaningful ministerial experiences, and their hopes for the program.
On Tuesday, the group had its first of five morning sessions with Le Pèlerin, a ministry founded by the Province Canadienne specializing in spiritual accompaniment. The sessions were led by Mr. Stéfan Thériault, Director, and Mrs. Barbara Martel, Assistant Director.
Learn more about the many activities at Saint Joseph's Oratory
That afternoon, Fr. Claude Grou, C.S.C., Superior of the Province Canadienne, gave the group an engaging, in-depth tour of Saint Joseph’s Oratory. At different moments during the program, the group prayed together at various sites in the Oratory, including the crypt church, the main basilica, and the outdoor Stations of the Cross.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Sisters of Holy Cross, led by Sr. Raymonde Maisonneuve, C.S.C., Animator General, and her Council, received the group at their property in Saint Laurent. The visit began with a panel of six sisters representing the countries where the Sisters of Holy Cross serve. Following Mass, there was a delightful social and dinner.
On Thursday afternoon, the group toured Old Montreal, visiting Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal, Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel, and Marie-Reine-du-Monde Cathedral.
On Saturday came another of the program’s highlights: a pilgrimage to Sherbrooke to visit the Little Sisters of the Holy Family and their recently canonized Foundress, St. Marie-Léonie Paradis, who began her religious life as a Marianite of Holy Cross. The sisters were enthusiastic and generous in receiving the group, as they consider Holy Cross part of their “extended religious family”. After touring the exhibits on St. Marie-Léonie Paradis in the cathedral, the group celebrated Mass at her tomb and then shared a delightful lunch with the sisters before visiting their new motherhouse.
Read more about the life of St. Marie-Léonie Paradis
The program’s second week began with Mass in French in the oratory’s basilica on Sunday morning, and then the group prepared brunch together. After the final session with Le Pèlerin on Monday morning, the group went back to Saint Laurent to visit the parish where Holy Cross first arrived in Canada in 1847. After praying in the community’s cemetery, the group joined the parish’s daily Mass with Fr. Pierre Labine, C.S.C., Assistant Pastor, and then learned about the parish’s history over dinner.
Tuesday and Wednesday were dedicated to diving more deeply into the life and legacy of St. André, with a presentation on the early life of Alfred Bessette by Fr. Jomon Kalladanthiyil, C.S.C., Vicar of the Province Canadienne; a tour of Collége Notre Dame where St. André served as doorkeeper; a presentation on St. André’s spirituality by Fr. Mario Lachapelle, C.S.C., former Provincial and Vice Postulator; and a conversation with the pastoral team of the Saint Joseph’s Oratory, led by Fr. Bernard Antoine, C.S.C., Rector, and Fr. Jerome Jose, C.S.C., Assistant Rector.
The encounter with St. André came to a moving conclusion on Thursday morning with a prayer service with the Major Reliquary of St. André led by Fr. Kalladanthiyil, who also serves as its Custodian. The group also had a conversation led by Br. Nee on the legacy of St. André in their own lives.
On Friday, after sharing with each other the graces they have received from the renewal program, the group gathered with members of the Province Canadienne for Mass in the oratory’s crypt church before a festive dinner. Two members from the group gave personal testimonies of their experiences and thanked all of those who had made the renewal program possible.