I put together this summary from some of the newspaper articles I read, as well as from the memoirs of Archbishop Vachon
It includes the text of the Consecration during the mass on June 22
Maureen
The Ottawa Marian Congress - Pilgrimage of Faith
Wednesday, June 18th, 1947 - Sunday, June 22, 1947
The Marian Congress was Ottawa’s greatest pilgrimage of faith and drew over a quarter million people to the city. No other occasion in the History of Ottawa induced as many people to come as far, and stay as long, as did the Marian Congress. All who attended said the experience was unforgettable. There were pageants, beautiful floats, heavenly music. There were spectacularly robed Cardinals, numerous dignitaries and throngs of people who came from far and wide. The event ended with what the Catholic Northwest Progress newspaper called “the greatest fireworks display ever held in Canada” depicting scenes in the life of the Blessed Virgin. Oh, what a week!
It was to celebrate the centenary of the Archdiocese of Ottawa and to pray for lasting peace in the world. The Message of the Marian Congress: Intercession with the Mother of God to obtain from her Divine Son a Lasting World Peace, and this message was the keynote of all the addresses delivered by world known prelates.
Although now largely forgotten, in its day it was the largest religious conference in North America and Ottawa had never seen anything like it. Visitors arrived by car, bus, plane, and special excursion trains. Ottawa Street cars had its greatest traffic in history. Joy and reverent faith was everywhere.
A huge outdoor repository was built at Lansdowne for the religious festivities. It was 515 feet long and along its back wall were four large statues of angels raising golden trumpets toward a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary that topped a 115 foot tower at the centre of the dias. Beneath the tower was a stage and altar. In front were benches enough to seat 75,000 people. There were also 110 wonderful exhibits on the site.
On May first, three weeks earlier, a statue of Our Lady left the shrine at Cap de la Madeleine to travel to Ottawa. The statue travelled through 5 Diocese and even stopped in a great number of parishes and entered many Religious Houses. All along the way it was received with Religious Enthusiasm and our Lady distributed Signal favours. The virgin’s passage through our cities, our villages and our countryside was the occasion for religious ceremonies, which will long be remembered by those who witnessed them ( 1 )
This statue of our Lady was installed in the Peace Chapel at Landsdowne Park and a series of masses – day and night – without interruption began. There were 48 masses each 24 hours, one every half hour. 250 different priests said the masses, and most of them were members of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate who also direct the Marian Shrine at Cap-de-la- Madeleine.
In many of the Churches in the city there were numerous extra masses to welcome visitors. Some churches had masses at Saturday at midnight and at 1 and 2 am Sunday morning
A message to the Congress from Pope Pius XII was broadcast during a Mass on June 19 and carried by major radio networks across the country.
The Congress was attended by 9 cardinals - including Cardinal McGuigan of Toronto (who was the official Papal Legate), Cardinal Tisserant, Secretary of the Sacred Congregation for the Oriental Church, Cardinal Mindszenty, Archbishop of Esztergom and Primate of the Church in Hungary, Cardinal Gerlier, Archbishop of Lyons, Archbishop Mar Ivanios of Trivandrum, India, and Cardinal Artegay Bentancourt of Havana, Cuba - 19 archbishops (including Archbishop John D’Alton, Primate of All Ireland) and 120 bishops from seven countries.
Prime Minister Mackenzie King did not attend but hosted a dinner for the cardinals at his Laurier House Residence. However, Louis St Laurent, then Secretary of State for External Affairs, Premier Maurice Duplessis of Quebec, Thibaudeau Rinfret, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Angus MacDonald, Premier of Nova Scotia, and Paul Martin, Federal Minister of Health and Welfare, were some of the government representatives in attendance.
During the five-day Congress there was a procession of floats along the canal driveway, public veneration of a replica of the statue of Our Lady of the Cape, and the consecration of Canada to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This act of consecration was recited before a great crowd at the 155-foot- high Landsdowne Park outdoor altar during Sunday’s closing Pontifical mass. The solemn consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary took place at 5 o`clock on June 22. No previous ceremony at the Repository had been so imposing. Nine cardinals including the Cardinal legate took up their positions on the central section of the Repository. All the Archbishops and Bishops present in Ottawa, Monsignori, Canons and thousands of priests, dignitaries of all ranks occupied the two long wings spreading out from the central section of the Repository. The crowd was immense. The 85,000 seats in front of the Repository were occupied. Thousands and thousands of persons stood in the aisles. The greatest number of Congressists, those who could not gain admittance to the overcrowded Stadium, open sky seats and aisles listened religiously from all parts of the park to his impressive ceremony which was brought to them by means of loud speakers installed throughout the grounds and in the various buildings. ( 2 )
The words of the consecration, read in English by the Honourable James J McCann, Minister of National Revenue and in French by the Honourable Louis Saint Laurent, Secretary of State for External Affairs, Members of the Federal Government, were heard through the loud speakers and by radios by the people in the Park, in the city and throughout the country. In a great silence, all eyes and all hearts tended with ardour toward the Mother of God and of men. It was with profound emotion that the people listened to the words of the Dominion of Canada to Mary in the text which had served as the prayer of the Congress for months past, and which was an extract of the consecration of mankind to the Immaculate heart of Mary written by Pope Pius XII.. ( 3 )
In his closing remarks the Pontiff said. “Take courage and know that the Immaculate Mother of God had appealed to her Divine Son so that the repentance of the world will bring redemption.
The entire week was magnificent but Sunday was the day of days with so many in attendance that there were many extra trains. There were trains where you never saw trains before and some of them arrived less than a minute apart. Ottawa’s normal population of something like 200,000 swelled to something close to 500,000.
There was unforgettable splendor as at the great dinner Saturday night at the Chateau Laurier. At no place did Church and State, religious and civil authorities meet under such truly colourful auspices as at the dinner tendered in the Chateau laurier Saturday Night to His Emminence James Charles Cardinal McGuigan, Legate of His Holiness Pope Pius XII and His excellency the RT Honourable Viscount Alexander of Tunis. Rev. Vachon, Archbishop of Ottawa and Official Host of the Congress gave the dinner. Among those attending were Premier Drew of Ontario, Prime Minister MacKenzie King, Right Honourable J.L Isley, Minister of Justice, Cardinal Spellman of the Americas, Cardinal Frings of Germany, Honorable Humphrey Mitchell Labour Minister, Hon. J.J. McCann, Minister of National Revenue. Cardinal Mindzenty of Hungary was there as was Hon. Alphonse Fournier Minister of Public Works and Rt. Honourable Louis St. Laurent minister of External Affairs. Representing the Eastern Branch of the Catholic Church was cardinal Tiserant. Cardinal Gerlier of France attended as well as Major General HP Letson the Governor General’s Military Secretary. Stanley Lewis, Mayor of Ottawa and Honorable Wishert Robertson, Government leader in the Senate both attended the Gala
And there was the beautiful simplicity of so many families having picnics in their cars while stuck in traffic or picnicking and resting amid the June foliage of the parkway and on boulevards. Many slept under the stars at Landsdowne: some because they had no accommodation, others because they wanted to be close to the morning celebrations . There were scores of volunteers and all across the city there are numerous stories of people helping one another.
Although it rained early on in the week, the weather was magnificent later on and for the spectacular closing ceremonies. On Wednesday in a special statement to the Ottawa Citizen The strong faith of the archbishop was evident when he said “I am confident Almighty God will bless us with fine weather” One might have been sceptical of this statement because it had been raining every day for a month before the Congress began.
Sunday’s procession of the Blessed Sacrament preceded by 26 beautiful religious floats and 1,000 maids of honour were viewed by spectators exceeding 200,000 in number along a route extending from MacKenzie Avenue via the Driveway to Landsdowne Park . Anxious crowds had lined both sides of the driveway two hours previously. One RCMP officer estimated that more than 20,000 people had surged unto the plaza square.
Sunday was sunny and cloudless and during the night the crescent moon rode the skies til dawn amid the splendour of unforgettable fireworks . The fireworks, depicting scenes in the life of the Blessed Virgin. maintained to the last the spirit of reverence and faith in prayer which the whole congress engendered,
After the closing ceremonies there was a mass exodus of people and the Union Station was packed to the rafters with thousands of Marian Congress participants returning to their homes in all parts of Canada. They waited patiently with their suitcases outside the station as packed street cars arrived at the station. Police, Railway Officials and members of the Saint John Ambulance Brigade were there to assist those in need, The crowds were regulated by some 30 city Constables, RCMP constables and CPR police kept order and regulated the number of people who could enter the station at one time
The smooth operation of trains leaving in quick succession was due mainly to the efficient management of the station staff under the direction of CPR and CNR traffic experts sent from Toronto and Montreal to supervise the movement of this great mass of people. Throughout the peak rail traffic period of the weekend there had been neither accidents nor confusion. After midnight trains were leaving the Station minutes apart
Text of the Consecration from the memoirs of Archbishop Vachon
O Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, Help of Christians, who art victorious in all God`s battles, we humbly prostrate ourselves before thy throne, confident that we will receive mercy, grace and bountiful assistance and protection in the present calamity, not through our own inadequate merits, but solely through the great goodness of thy Maternal Heart
`It is in Thine Honour that we prepared the Great Congress to celebrate the centenary of the erection of this Diocese with the hope that you will be moved to pity by the sight of the widespread material and moral ruin. O Mother of Mercy, obtain peace for us from God, and above all, procure for us those graces, which prepare, establish and ensure the peace! O Queen of Peace, give to the world the peace for which all men long, peace in the truth, justice and charity of Christ.
“Obtain for the Holy Church of God peace and complete freedom ; stay the rising flood of modern paganism; enkindle in the faithful the life of purity, the practice of Christian virtues, and an apostolic zeal, so that the servants of God may increase in holiness and in number.
“Lastly, as the Church and the entire human race were consecrated to the Sacred Heart of thy Divine Son, so that by placing all hope in Him, He might become for them the pledge of Victory and Salvation, so do we now and forever consecrate ourselves to thy Immaculate Heart, O Blessed Mother and Queen of the World, that thy love and thy protection may hasten the triumph of the Kingdom of God, and all nations, at peace with one another and with God may proclaim thee blest and chant with thee from pole to pole, the eternal Magnificat of glory , love and gratitude to the Heart of Jesus, in Whom alone may be found the blessings of truth, of life, and of Heavenly Peace, Amen “
footnote ( 1 ) page 157
footnote ( 2 ) taken from the memoirs of Archbishop Vachon
pages 136
footnotes ( 3 ) taken from the memoirs of Archbishop Vachon
pages 136 -137
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Showing posts with label Archbishop Alexandre Vachon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Archbishop Alexandre Vachon. Show all posts
Monday, June 26, 2017
1947 Marian Congress - Short Summary
Sunday, June 4, 2017
The historic 1947 Marian Congress
Excerpts from one of Archbishop Vachon's personal copies documenting the historic 1947 Marian Congress. Highlights include Canada's consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the chapter on the Peace Chapel where the miraculous pilgrim statue of Our Lady of the Cape, Queen of Canada was venerated during the congress.
For more information
For more information
VIEW THE 1947 PROGRAM "HERE"
for more information
VIEW THE 1947 PROGRAM "HERE"
Saturday, November 19, 2016
Marian Congress, Canada, 70th Anniversary in June 2017
Visit http://CatholicinCanada.com for details and resources to celebrate the 70th Anniversary in June, 2017.
1947 Marian Congress, Ottawa Canada, English Documentary
English Documentary
Historic "Canadian Marian Milestone" held in Ottawa, Canada
captured by Quebec"s pioneer documentary
to celebrate the 70th Anniversary in June, 2017.
Original version - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lt_h...
Original version - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lt_h...
Transcript
The provincial promotional office
Ciné-Québec presents Marian Congress in Ottawa,
June 1947
Tribute to His
Excellency Archbishop Alexandre Vachon Archbishop of Ottawa
A film by Fr.
Maurice Proulx –
Transcribed,
translated and narrated
by Robert Du Broy in 2016.
Hail
Mary!
Ottawa,
16 June 1947
In
this capital, where beats the heart of the Dominion of Canada, mighty arms
projected over the world the triumph of the Virgin over souls and hearts. From
the Shrine of Cap-de-la-Madeleine, towns and villages in five dioceses have made
the ascent to this summit. The seven hundred mile journey of the Virgin was
prepared by a foundation of preaching, and paved by penances and offerings, lined
with prayers and devotions.
O
sing out, night of joy! Ring out to the four winds immense joy with bells and
hallelujahs!
Here
is the protector of day and night, and here is the chapel of peace where for
127 continuous hours,
Mass will be celebrated and Christ given to Man 150,000
times.
Princes
of the Church have come to guide the throng of faithful believers. .His
Eminence, Cardinal McGuigan, Archbishop of Toronto, Papal Legate, accompanies
His Excellency, the Apostolic Delegate, Antonio Bagnoli.
There is a clear
sky over the dawn of Marian Thursday.
Archbishop Vachon greets the morning
as it breaks over the centenary of the Ottawa diocese.
This eve of the jubilee
prepares the pilgrims for the sublime days to come.
Cardinals,
archbishops, and bishops, extraordinary ambassadors of the only truth, have
come to celebrate your triumph, O Virgin. They come to lay at your feet the
pain over which dominates faith, the misery that is made tolerable by hope, and
the sacrifice that is called forth by charity.
Civil
authority joins religious authority and the splendour of its receptions befits
the occasion.
Viscount Alexander, Governor General of Canada, receives the
leaders of the Church, spiritual governors of the Catholic world. Among them,
on the right, is Cardinal Mindszenty, who will suffer persecution.
Night-time
renews the fervour of the day.
O
Star whose rays reach us with forbearance, we glorify you in our humble light
shows.
Friday morning
consists of offerings and reparations.
Bishop Vladimir Ladyka, apostolic
eparch to Ukrainians in Canada, celebrates a pontifical in dull white robes. The
Christian East and West find at the feet of Mary a united expression of prayer.
Cardinal Tisserant, of the Sacred Congregation for the Oriental Churches. His
Eminence Betancourt, Archbishop of Havana. Cardinal Frings, Archbishop of
Cologne. Cardinal Mindszenty, martyr for the Hungarian church that will one day
be free. From India comes Archbishop Ivanios, who along with all his church
converted to Catholicism.
In
the afternoon, the eloquence of religious speakers attracts crowds and dignitaries.
In the evening, the great film Our Lady of Fair Love which chronicles the life
of the Blessed Virgin with a sincerity of expression that makes it a work of
faith.
From
Quebec, the Catholic province, comes Premier Duplessis. Cardinal Gerlier brings
with him the presence of France, eldest daughter of the Church. The deep
religious convictions that are rooted in Quebec in her priests and French
school system qualifies Mr.Duplessis for the honour of introducing the eloquent
prelate.
The
Marian celebrations in Ottawa would be incomplete without a religious
exhibition. The universality of the reign of Mary is the most beautiful and
true of stories. An international fresco of one hundred and six kiosks is a
witness to that.
Half
a million visitors have walked through this incomparable book of apologetics. Most
interested and perhaps the most notable of the pilgrims were the Dionne
quintuplets and their families.
With
all the vigour of their devotion, young Canadian schoolchildren sing in participative
Mass. Bishop Langlois of Valleyfield speaks to them about religious vocations. Before
their eyes are the most worthy sons of the Church. Archbishop Roy of Quebec. Cardinal
Spellman, Archbishop of New York. Bishop Cody, apostolic missionary eparch. And
the cornerstone faith of the children, which is the highest tribute that the
Blessed Virgin will receive, in this spiritual treasure they give to Archbishop
Vachon. They have asked for only one touching favour: good weather for the
Congress. In the Marian procession, the most beautiful symbols and the most vibrant
colours glorify Our Lady. The vast ribbon of people and floats have spread over
three weeks the glory of the Queen of Heaven and Earth.
To Jesus through
Mary.
Our
Mother of Perpetual Help, we pray that you open the heart of your Son to us.
Our
Lady of the Snows, Queen of great expanses, protect our land.
Without
knowing the glorious destiny of their daughter, Joachim and Anne dedicated Mary
to the service of God.
The
archangel Gabriel said, “Hail O full of grace. The Lord is with you.
You
are blessed among all women. And Jesus, the fruit of your womb, is blessed.
”Fearing
a newborn said to be God, Herod slaughtered the innocents. The Holy Family fled
to Egypt.
Sorrowful
Mother, hope of those who weep, here you give us the Son who desires to be our
brother.
Comforter
of the afflicted, lower your gaze on those who suffer.
Morningstar
to mariners and Queen of the elements, shine in my lonely night.
Queen
of the Apostles and Mother of wisdom, give your Church many labourers for God's
harvest.
Queen
of Peace, grant that our children never know the futile atrocity of
battlefields.
Mystical
Rose, who poured out the perfume of blessings, allow our temples to flourish.
Immaculate
Mother, distance from hearts defiling corruption.
O
spotless lily, guardian of every virtue, let us rejoice in His glorious
Ascension.
The
Mother of God thrones above the choirs of angels. And the Eternal Father
receives her as his beloved daughter.
He
made her the most glorious of queens and her reign will never end.
Look
with love on the banks of the great river, where live a still young people who
desire to grow in faith.
O
you, from whom the day receives the day without end, light of the world, give
to Man, from the well of your loving and fraternal sorrows, Mother of the
infinite and Mother of the humble, give eternal love.
On
this last day of these pious manifestations, in one gathering will assemble all
the crowds, all the princely processions, all the pageantry, and all the
devotion that the first days had witnessed.
Once
again, before us pass the noblest personages of the Congress.
His
Excellency Alexandre Vachon, Archbishop of Ottawa, and organizer of the
Congress. Cardinals Frings and Mindszenty, who are leaders in their countries
tormented by communism. Cardinal Betancourt, who will preside over the
consecration ceremony. Cardinal Spellman of New York, spiritual director of a
stronger Catholic minority than the massed population that surrounds it. Cardinal
Mooney, Archbishop of Detroit. Cardinal Gerlier, Archbishop of Lyon, who will confer
upon Archbishop Vachon the Officer of the Legion of Honour Medal.and Cardinal
Tisserant. Cardinal McGuigan, Archbishop of Toronto, Papal Legate.
Of
the committees that surround Archbishop Vachon, the most noble is that of good
weather.
The
tireless Archbishop finds a rare moment of leisure to receive his family and,
among those with whom he stops for a moment, is a very proud father of five
daughters. With the greatest stage artists of merit, the Dionne quintuplets
sing praise to the Virgin at the solemn consecration of the Blessed Sacrament.
At
the altar is a living Mother over which passes a great breath of joy.
This
last religious ceremony of the afternoon is the consecration of Canada to Our
Lady.
Night
falls and the Marian Congress comes to a close. For five days and five nights,
one and a half million pilgrims have come to kneel at the foot of the altar in
Ottawa. For five days and five nights, the Mother of men poured out her grace
throughout the earth. Light in the darkness, Mother of the Son of God, our
Mother, may the praises of your people be sweet.
Ottawa,
22 June 1947
Hail
Mary!
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