Montreal

Under the theme REJOICING IN HOPE (Rom. 12:12), several hundred young people on their way to the sacrament of Confirmation were invited, along with their godparents and families, to take part in a fraternal activity to prepare for this sacrament.     

The event took place at the Mary Queen of the World Cathedral over 2 days, April 13, 2024, in French and April 14, 2024, in English. The program was designed and led by young people from the Mission Jeunesse MTL network, from various parishes and missions.   

Episcopal vicars Fr. Harry Célestin, csv, and Fr. Raymond Lafontaine took turns to accompany the event, offering their presence, addressing the young people and godparents, leading a time of prayer and blessing the little crosses received by each of the confirmandees. 

The Cathedral was full of young families!  

  • On April 13, 2024, over 700 people attended, including more than 200 young confirmandees accompanied by their parents, godparents, as well as Parish catechetical leaders, lay pastoral associates, catechists and volunteers.  
  • On April 14, 2024, attendance exceeded 1100 people, including over 375 young confirmands with their parents, godparents, as well as Parish catechetical leaders, lay pastoral associates, catechists and volunteers.  

Participants had the opportunity to discover the Cathedral through a pilgrimage of the 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit, and to experience a time of fellowship in a spirit of prayer.  

Participants enjoyed the voices and music of two youth choirs: from the Filipino Catholic Mission of Montreal and Angelet from St-Martyrs-du-Vietnam.  

The event was made possible by the many volunteers from different communities: 

April 13, 2024: Over 85 volunteers from the following parishes and missions: Notre-Dame-du-Bel-Amour, Ste-Gertrude/St-Vincent-Marie-Strambi ,St-Benoit, St-Enfant-Jésus de Pointe-aux-Trembles, St-Vincent-Ferrier/Ste-Cécile, Notre Dame d'Anjou, la Mission Sts-Martyrs-du-Vietnam, Notre Dame de l' Alliance, Holy Name of Jesus, as well as young people from Loyola High School.  

April 14, 2024: Over 85 volunteers from the following parishes and missions: Holy Name of Jesus, Our Lady of Fatima, Filipino Catholic Mission of Montreal, St. Kevin's, and youth from Loyola High School.  

The event was organized by the Evangelization and Christian Life integrated service, with a new collaboration between Mission Jeunesse and the Office d'éducation à la foi. 

Faced with such a large number of people on their way to confirmation, it's hard not to be impressed by the hundreds of catechists who, discreetly in each of our parishes, accompany these young people on their journey.  

So many reasons to give thanks and be proud of our Church!  

 

Johanne Egglefield