Wow Quebec's Annual Saint Anthony Procession Led by the Archbishop Brings Catholic Culture Alive in Montreal, Canada! PHOTOS
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Fr. Jean-Marie Bilwala writes: On June 7 and 8, 2025, the southwest region of Montreal was abuzz with excitement over the feast of St. Anthony of Padua. The celebration in the Catholic Church of St. John Bosco was attended by the faithful and crowds from all over, creating a vibrant urban festive atmosphere. On Saturday 7th, the day began with the blessing of the motorcycles, barbecue and children’s games, followed by a performance by the famous DJ Salvatore Bruno. On Sunday, after the morning Mass, parish priest Jean-Marie Bilwala blessed the breads to be distributed to the faithful, a symbolic gesture that emphasizes the importance of sharing bread, a value deeply rooted in the feast of St. Anthony of Padua.
The same sharing was also noted in the afternoon during the 3 p.m.
holy Mass in honor of St. Anthony by Monsignor Christian Lépine,
Archbishop of Montreal. During his homily, Archbishop Christian
delivered a compelling message of trust and love, profoundly
impacting all in attendance. He set an example of trust in our parents,
and that’s great! When we are young, we trust them because they are
there for us. As we age, trust and love become more difficult, but we
must not let that stop us.
Trust and love go hand in hand. When we
trust, we can do anything! Trusting God is not easy because we don't
see Him, but we mustn't let that stop us.
We were created in his
image, and this fills us with joy! God is Love, God is Truth, God is
Beauty, God is Goodness. We, created in the image of God, are
made for love, truth, unity, beauty, and so much more.
Faith and trust
in God are the fuel that drives us to success.
After Mass, the faithful gathered with Archbishop Christian Lépine for
an emotional procession through the streets. A statue of St. Anthony,
carried in a specially made van, paraded through the streets of the
city, accompanied by sacred songs animated by the "Banda Gentile"
and the prayer of the rosary. The chanting of prayers rises powerful
and vibrant, as the crowd fervently advances behind the magnificently
decorated statue of St. Anthony of Padua. The faithful, some barefoot
as a sign of devotion, walk in silence or recite litanies, asking for
protection and blessings with great fervor. The emotion is palpable:
the eyes sparkle with faith and gratitude, and some are completely
enveloped in a contagious spiritual fervor.
The air is filled with a vibrant joy and serenity as religious songs ring
through the rows, carried by the echo of bells and the murmur of the
wind. From the start, the energy is undeniable and infectious. Some
walk with their eyes closed, reciting prayers in a low voice, while
others carry a light of gratitude in their eyes for the blessings they
have received. People who have faced challenges with unwavering
hope turn to the saint’s intercession for healing and guidance.
In this moment of pure communion, a feeling of deep unity pervades
the participants, creating an electrifying and contagious energy. They
walk together, united by a vibrant faith, linked by generations of
history and traditions.
The procession becomes an extraordinary
experience, a moment of union and sharing that makes us all part of
something magical and spiritually united. It is an occasion in which an
invisible and powerful bond is created with others, with the saint, and
with God.
The statue’s presence and the respectfully touching hands that grace
it create indelible memories. These moments of sharing and reflection
are the beating heart of the community, uniting people of all ages in a
single celebration of faith and tradition. We concluded the procession
with a special blessing in front of the church by our pastor, Monsignor
Christian Lépine. The evening program continued immediately after
the blessing with barbecues, music, and games for children.
The transition between the solemnity of the procession and the
conviviality of the feast is the perfect moment to celebrate the joy of
Saint Anthony together.
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