Travel Journal: Old Montreal, Cathedral Notre Dame de Bon Secours

In the spirit of Sunday, I will start my Montreal Travel Journal by sharing photos from one of the three cathedrals I visited during my stay in Canada.  

Before we left, I knew that I wanted to take in all of the art and architecture of Montreal that I could. Montreal was founded as a French Catholic settlement in the 1600's, so Catholic architecture is omnipresent. I have a specific attachment to Cathedral architecture, a passion that members of my family do not share an enthusiasm for, so I decided that I would only see the churches and cathedrals that we "happened across" while traversing the city as opposed to dragging everyone kicking and screaming into church.  Fortunately, I just "happened" across the two Cathedrals I had really hoped to see, after stopping in this one.

This was the Notre Dame de Bon Secours in a section of town referred to as Old Montreal. Old Montreal is the area I observed richest in art and architecture. The Notre Dame de Bonsecours was a small cathedral founded by a woman named Marguerite Borgeoys.  You can read more about her interesting life at this link.  The original building was consecrated in 1657, but this building dates to 1771. I am not sure the exact details about how these two dates work together.

Sister Bourgeoys was born in France and devoted her life to the church at the age of 19 after losing her mother. She became a powerful force for young children and girls in the Catholic Church, dedicating her teaching to preparing young women to work in the home. She accepted a call to serve in Montreal in 1653 with a man called Monsieur de Masionneuve, and is considered a co founder of Montreal with him.

The Cathedral served as a house of worship for local settlers, and was locally considered a "Sailor's Church". There is a subtle nautical theme throughout the entire cathedral. If you notice, there are small wooden ships hanging from each of the chandeliers shown in the second picture above.

And of course, themes of charity and giving are represented throughout the sanctuary as well.  Of all the churches and cathedrals I have been in (which I admit is limited) this one had smaller feel and was perhaps the most quaint, and most genuine feeling one I have seen. It just seemed so ... nice and friendly  . . . and was lacking in some of the pompousness I have sometimes felt visiting Catholic establishments in the past, if that makes any sense.

A rather dark view from the rear of the church.

Apparently, there was also a small museum dedicated to the life and work of Marguerite Borgeoy and a beautiful view of Montreal that would could have gone in, but everyone was anxious to move along to something else by the time we had walked through the sanctuary. I have to say all in all, the Notre Dame de Bon Secours was a good first stop in Old Montreal and confirmed my desire to make visiting other Cathedrals a priority.