CCCB Solemn Mass on the liturgical Feast of Saints Jean de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, Priests, and Companions, Martyrs – 26 September 2017
Friday, October 20 2017
As part of the 2017 Plenary Assembly of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), the Bishops of Canada gathered in Ottawa for the celebration of a Solemn Mass on the liturgical Feast of Saints Jean de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, Priests, and Companions, Martyrs, at Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica on 26 September. The Canadian Martyrs are the secondary patrons of Canada. The Eucharistic celebration included the Consecration of Canada to the Blessed Virgin Mary on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of Canadian Confederation and also highlighted the 50th anniversary of the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace – Caritas Canada.
The Most Reverend Terrence Prendergast, S.J., Archbishop of Ottawa and Apostolic Administrator of Alexandria-Cornwall, was the presider, with the Most Reverend Douglas Crosby, O.M.I., Bishop of Hamilton, and the Most Reverend Lionel Gendron, P.S.S., Bishop of Saint-Jean-Longueuil, as the two principal concelebrants. His Eminence Gérald Cyprien Cardinal Lacroix, Archbishop of Québec and Primate of Canada, was the homilist. The prayer of Consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary was led by Cardinal Lacroix together with His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Collins, Archbishop of Toronto, and His Eminence Marc Cardinal Ouellet, Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, who is Archbishop Emeritus of Québec.
An abridged version of the prayer of Consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary is also available for the personal use of the faithful. The prayer card has a full-colour reproduction of the painting “Notre-Dame du Canada” by the late Québec artist Marius Dubois. A mounted copy of his painting was also featured during the Solemn Mass and throughout the CCCB 2017 Plenary Assembly.
At the reception following the Mass, Bishop Crosby who was then CCCB President spoke of the 50th anniversary of the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace – Caritas Canada. He recalled that “when founding Development and Peace, the Bishops were building on exemplary Canadian traditions of missionary work, formation in the social teaching of the Church, and the apostolate of the laity. The CCODP mission can be summed up in the word ‘mercy‘.” He also highlighted how “Development and Peace is part of the structure and mission of the Church, working with and on behalf of the Catholic Bishops and faithful in our country.” Finally, he recalled the CCCB Pastoral Letter published in November 2016 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the organization being founded and mandated by the Bishops of Canada
Link to the archives video of the Solemn Mass on Salt + Light TV
Link to the bilingual homily by Cardinal Lacroix (PDF)
Link to order the prayer cards of Our Lady of Canada
Link to the bilingual Prayer of Consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary (PDF)
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