The Eucharistic Congress at Montreal

New Zealand Tablet, 12 May 1910, Page 753

The Eucharistic Congress at Montreal

In Canada, now, there are nine ecclesiastical provinces, each presided over by an Archbishop, with about thirty Bishops and Vicars Apostolic to assist in the great work. Whatever may have been the fate of the earliest Catholic missionary enterprise in Canada (says the Universe) we cannot now tell, but the definite history of the Church begins with the celebration of Mass on the Gaspe peninsula at the instant of the landing of Jacques Cartier on July 7, 1534, and that intrepid navigator proceeded up the mighty river ‘even as far as Hochelaga, on the site of which now stands the flourishing city of Montreal.’

When the Treaty of Paris ceded French Canada (i.e., Quebec and Gaspe) to England in 1763 there were about 70,000 Catholics in the Dominion, all of French blood. The famine years in Ireland brought over a cent, per cent, increase in the Catholic population. The census of 1901 showed 2,229,600 Catholics, or about 42 per cent, of the total population. In the last nineteen years the increase has been very great, the Church gaining not alone by immigration, but by the remarkable birthrate which is maintained in the Catholic provinces. It is interesting to 'note that the increase in the number of Catholics is not confined ,to the old French Dominion, for in the NorthWest territories, between the years 1881 and 1901, the Catholic population increased from 4443 to 39,653. In the midst of this great and ever-growing nation, with its wholesouled, ‘ live ’ Catholicity, the Eucharistic Congress of 1910 is to be held. That the Congress will be a great success cannot be doubted, for Canada will bring all its wealth of Faith and store of enthusiasm, and will lavish both in honor of our Eucharistic Lord.

The proposal to vote 50,000 dollars towards the expenses of the Congress has undergone some modification. The Municipal Council has been asked to provide the necessary expenses for the fitting reception of distinguished visitors. Such a provision is more in order with municipal government, and there is every indication that Montreal will give the Legate and other guests a most magnificent welcome. & At a recent meeting of the reception committee, Archbishop Bruchesi stated that every day he received increasing evidence of the interest that was being taken in the preparations for the Congress. The Bishops of Canada and of the United States have all testified to the desire they feel that the Congress may be most successful. His Grace also announced that the Holy Father was informed, day by day, of _ all the arrangements that are being made. The committee will be able to provide accommodation for all the Archbishops and Bishops and for about 2000 priests. Depots will be opened in various parts of the town, so that people who have apartments may enter their names and the accommodation they can offer. The committee will especially have charge of Congressists from foreign coun.l,®s>. deluding the group, of w6rking-men and women who will journey from England.