On Saturday, July 20, 2024, hundreds of faithful from so-called Italian-speaking parishes gathered at the sanctuary of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, just outside Quebec City, for a pilgrimage. 

Indeed, it's a tradition in Montreal's Italian-speaking parishes to honour Saint Anne, mother of the Virgin Mary and patron saint of Quebec, on behalf of their grandparents. What is a "pilgrimage" in the Catholic Church? It's a personal or collective journey made by the faithful to a holy place for religious reasons and in a spirit of faith. 

This event was in keeping with the spirit of orientation and synodality of the Archdiocese of Montreal. It also brought together non-Italian-speaking faithful, in this case English-speaking. Each parish organized its own transport, hiring a large bus for its faithful.   

Mass was celebrated at 11 a.m., presided over by Father Jean-Marie Bilwala Kabesa and concelebrated by Father Donbosco Mawdsley. Exhorting the faithful in two languages, Italian and English, Father Jean-Marie above all invited everyone to journey together as an ecclesial family of God's children towards holiness, following the example of Saint Anne. 

Immediately after mass, some of the faithful were able to go to confession. Dinner followed, brought by all. Dinner was also a time of sharing and exchange with faithful from other parishes. At 1:30 p.m., we all gathered in front of the sanctuary to walk the Way of the Cross. 

Father Jean-Marie Bilwala Kabesa