My family and I recently grabbed our passports and headed off to check things out in the land of our northern neighbor–Canada. My oldest recently graduated and we wanted a fun way to celebrate as a family. We love to travel and explore, so we thought Montreal would be an interesting place to check out. Montreal is oozing with Catholic history and you’ll notice it at ever turn.
Montreal lies in the province of Quebec and it’s situated on an island in a river. It’s a big island. The first language is French, though most people are comfortable with English. The first time I was in Canada, I visited Prince Edward Island which is charming, tranquil, and romantic. Montreal has a very different feel. It’s a big city with a lot going on and we had numerous places on our list that we wanted to see. For this blog, I will give you an itinerary for three days if you ever travel there. You can mix it up or do them in the order we did them. Mostly the days are organized by the different areas of the city.
I won’t give you a place to stay, as we stayed in an Airbnb which may not suit everyone. We, also, used the Metro and public buses to get around. We found it easy to use and efficient. I think the best way to get to know a city is to walk it and use their public transportation. It gets you out with the locals and forces you to get a little out of your comfort zone.
Day 1
This day is for hiking up Mont Royal and touring St. Joseph’s Oratory.
Mont Royal
Mont-Royal is the highest point on the island and no buildings are allowed to be higher than it. It is like a smallish Central Park composed of a smallish mountain. Be sure to hike all the way to the lodge at the top so that you can see the view. You’ll get a great panoramic view of the city and the St. Lawrence River in the background. The lodge at the top has a coffee and gift shop. If the weather is nice, pack a lunch as there are lots of picnic tables around. Spend some time hiking over the mountain and enjoying nature and all the views.
St. Joseph’s Oratory
St. Joseph’s Oratory lies on the southern part of the Mont-Royal park. The largest church in Canada once started out as a small oratory (chapel) founded by Saint Brother Andrรจ Bessette. Now, it is this massively impressive shrine dedicated to St. Joseph. You can do a self-guided tour which is what my family did. There is so much to see: The Crypt Church, the Votive Room, the main upper church, the Adoration Chapel, and more. Allow yourself a good amount of time here. While the upper main church does not suit my taste for churches, it is still extraordinary and worth a visit.
Day 2
This day is for the Botanical Gardens and Old Port with a stop at the oldest church in Montreal.
Botanical Gardens
I’m a huge fan of botanical gardens. They are peaceful, beautiful, and often times filled with hidden gems that everyone in the family can enjoy. Montreal’s botanical gardens did not disappoint. There are Chinese Gardens, Japanese Gardens, Lilac fields, wooded trails, and rose gardens. The park sits up in the northeastern part of the city near the old 1976 Olympic Stadium. I’d allow for several hours to really enjoy it.
Old Port
From the botanical gardens, make your way to the Old
Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel
This is the oldest church in Montreal. The original was built in the 1650s but was unfortunately destroyed by a fire. This church was built over the ruins of the old one in 1771. It’s a very special church with a calm and peaceful atmosphere. The history is almost palpable. There is a museum attached to the church that you can tour with lots of archeological points of interest. There are always guides within the church to answer questions about its history and artwork. While it doesn’t have the fame of the basilica, it is a note-worthy church that should be on any pilgrim’s list.
Day 3
This day is for seeing Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal and walking around Old Montreal.
Notre-Dame Basilica
There are no pictures that do this church justice. I will never forget my reaction of walking from the sunlight outside into the darkness of this church. It was truly breathtaking. Unreal beauty surrounds you and all you want to do is sit and absorb it all. There is a tour, but I found it disappointing. Instead of walking you around and talking about the artwork and how the church lifts your mind and heart to God, they just sit you in the pews and talk to you for 20 minutes. I was a little uncomfortable with all the tourists around because it causes reverence to be lost. I know people want to see this place, but I worry it ends up making God’s house a tourist trap instead of a place of worship. Our family did attend Mass here which helped it not feel so touristy. There is also an Adoration Chapel behind the altar that doesn’t allow pictures or talking which is nice. This is a must-see for any Catholic.
Old Montreal
If you love cobbled streets, old historical buildings, and French architecture, you’ll love touring Old Montreal. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from, stores to shop in, and several museums to make your day full. There is no rush and my family enjoyed taking our time to really see the uniqueness of this area. I have two older kids and they really enjoyed the sightseeing. If you have all little ones, I wouldn’t make this a full day event. The significance of it is lost on them. However, my 5-year-old found plenty to entertain himself with. Find a map that shows you where to go and use it as a guide, but don’t be afraid to meander off course.
Our time in Montreal went by in a flash. Each day was a new adventure and this was a great family trip. The immense Catholic history is lost on most of the locals but it doesn’t have to be that way for a visiting Catholic Pilgrim. You can get a deep appreciation for the French who started coming over in the 1500s to explore, bring the Gospel, and set up missions. You will find our Catholic heritage at nearly every turn. I pray that Canada returns to its Catholic roots.
Until next time, Catholic Pilgrims, travel well!
