Pilgrimage to the Shrines of Eastern Canada w/ Fr Darrell

Day 1: Detroit - Toronto

Depart Port Huron and travel by luxury coach to Toronto.  Upon arrival, we will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before visiting the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetural Help at St Patrick’s Parish.  After spending time in prayer, we will continue on to St Michael’s Cathedral Basilica where will celebrate mass. Check in at hotel, and a free evening for dinner on your own. Overnight Toronto (L)

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Day 2: Toronto - Montreal

After breakfast we travel to Montreal and visit the Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal - the largest shrine in the world dedicated to Saint Joseph and a world-renowned place for pilgrimage associated to Saint Brother Andre, its founder. It is one of Quebec’s most visited holy places, each year, millions of pilgrims come here to pray and receive blessings. We will also visit Brother Andre’s Tomb and the Mount Royal Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery. The largest cemetery in Canada and the third largest in North America, it is today part of Montreal’s rich history and a showcase of funerary, religious and artistic heritage with thousands of monuments and headstones. In 1998 it was designated a National Historic Site of Canada. Overnight Montreal. (B, D)

 

Day 3: Montreal

Today we visit the Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel, where the Marguerite Bourgeoys Museum is located. The chapel, also home to an archaeological site, is among the city’s oldest and most prestigious places of worship. The current chapel was built over a first small wooden building constructed in 1657 by Marguerite Bourgeoys, a woman who marked the history of the city.

 

The Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal is one of the most beautiful religious wonders in North America. Notre-Dame Basilica is focused on its religious mission of teaching the doctrine of salvation through Christ.

 

St Patricks’ Basilica was the first church of Montreal’s English-speaking Catholic community, which had previously gathered at the Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel. By 1843 this community of Montreal had swollen to some 6,500 souls, mainly Irish. It was then decided, that a church would be built to serve this growing community.  Overnight Montreal. (B)

Day 4: Montreal – Quebec City

Today's destination is Quebec City, the only fortified city in North America north of Mexico. As the cradle of French civilization in North America, it is a living history lesson with a remarkable mix of architecture, heritage, art and culture. On route, a stop at Cap-de-la-Madeleine with a visit to Sanctuaire Notre-Dame-Du-Cap on the bank of the St. Lawrence River. It is Canada’s National Shrine to Our Blessed Mother – Pope John Paul II visited the Shrine in 1984. The Historic Chapel (Old Shrine) is the oldest church kept in its integrity in Canada. Inside the Old Shrine, visitors eyes are drawn to the statue of the Virgin standing over the altar, where she opened her eyes on June 22, 1888 before three witnesses. This “miracle of the eyes” and its double papal coronation make this statue an especially holy symbol. A large modern Basilica was inaugurated in 1964, it’s one of the most architecturally stunning Marian sanctuaries in the world. Its stained glass windows are magnificent and the 5,425 pipe Casavant organ is one of the largest in Canada.

 

Upon arrival we will have time for lunch on our own before a half day of sightseeing in and around Quebec City, designated a World Heritage treasure by UNESCO.  We will see the historic walled city, extraordinarily well preserved after 400 years, the fort, the Dufferin Terraces overlooking the St Lawrence river and the surrounding area, the Chateau Frontenac (the world’s most photographed hotel), the old port and the Quebec Parliament buildings. Overnight Quebec City. (B, D)

 

Day 5: Quebec City

After breakfast we embark on a full day of sightseeing.  In 1633 Samuel de Champlain had a modest chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary built on the grounds where the Basilique-Cathedrale Notre Dame now stands. The Basilica has the first Holy Door to be located outside of Europe.  

 

At Palace Royal stands the Eglise Notre-Dame-des-Victoires, one of the oldest churches in North America. The church has numerous religious paintings and medallions commemorating key episodes in the Christian Faith. We then visit the splendid Ursuline Museum which illustrates the life and the teaching mission of the Ursuline Sisters from their arrival in Quebec City in 1639 and explains the religious and social history of the city. 

 

Our next stop is the Shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre, dedicated to the veneration of Saint Anne, wife of Saint Joachim, mother of the Virgin Mary and grandmother of Jesus.  Overnight Quebec City. (B)

 

Day 6: Quebec City - Kingston

Today we depart for Kingston.  Lunch on route in Rigaud at Sucrerie de la Montagne (Sugar Shack). Here guests will learn how maple syrup is made during a guided tour, followed by an all-you-can-eat Sugar Shack Feast. Afterwards, head outside to sample some maple taffy on snow (yes, even in the summer time)!  On to Kingston for overnight.  (B, L, D)

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Day 7: Kingston - Detroit

After breakfast, we start our journey home after a life changing pilgrimage in Eastern Canada. (B)