Pilgrimage to the Shrines of Eastern Canada with Richard Brito and Fr. Kyle Nesrsta

We depart today from Austin to Toronto. Upon arrival, our group is greeted by a Canadian tour escort who will accompany us the entire trip. We proceed to Niagara, stopping at the Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and the St. Therese Shrine. This Monastery and Shrine are located on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, with a breathtaking view of Niagara Falls. We celebrate Mass at the Shrine. A visit to Niagara Falls follows, where we will enjoy a remarkable view of the beautiful falls. Dinner and overnight in the Niagara area.

Following breakfast, we drive to Midland to visit the National Shrine of Canadian Martyrs. The most famous of the Martyrs are St. John de Brebeuf and St Gabriel Lalemant, who, together with two other Jesuit priests, a Jesuit brother, and one layperson, died for their faith. We explore the Shrine and celebrate Mass. Upon arrival in Toronto, we check into our hotel and enjoy an evening at leisure, with the opportunity to explore the city on our own. We visit the CN Tower, which provides a magnificent view of the city and the surrounding area. Overnight in Toronto.

Before leaving Toronto, we stop at St Michael’s Cathedral to celebrate Mass. The Cathedral is in the heart of Toronto and is the main church of Canada’s largest English-speaking archdiocese. In the afternoon, we enjoy a leisurely drive to Ottawa, Canada’s capital city, which is a city of grace and charm. We settle into our hotel and have time to walk along the river banks and to one of the many restaurants in the ByWard Market area for dinner. Overnight in Ottawa.

This morning, our panoramic tour starts at the magnificent Parliament Hill, the center of Canadian political life and architectural beauty. Today, we attend Mass at the Basilica of Saint Patrick, founded in 1855, the oldest English-speaking Catholic parish in the Archdiocese of Ottawa. In the afternoon, we drive along the Ottawa River, then by the St. Lawrence Seaway to the Provence of Quebec. As we approach the city of Montreal, we see in the distance St.Joseph’s Oratory, which grew from a small chapel on beautiful Mount Royal to the premier Shrine dedicated to St. Joseph, and one of the world’s most visited shrines. We settle into our hotel and have time at leisure to explore the Old Town of Montreal and have dinner on our own. Overnight in Montreal.

Following breakfast we visit St. Joseph’s Oratory. The basilica’s huge dome reaches 97 meters and is second only in height to Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The sheer size of it contrasts sharply with its frail founder, Brother André, the humble doorkeeper who had initiated its construction in 1904. The shrine consists of a primitive chapel, a votive chapel, a crypt, and a basilica large enough to accommodate 10,000 worshippers. Relics of Brother André and many ex-votos of miraculously cured pilgrims are exhibited. The basilica’s great organs and 52 bell chimes will occasionally rekindle the solemn works of great composers. We have a tour of the Oratory and time for the Way of the Cross on the mountainside. We celebrate Mass at the Oratory. In the afternoon, we visit Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral, a scaled-down replica of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Dinner and overnight in Montreal.

We depart this morning for the Amerindian reserve community of the Mohawks of Kahnawake to visit the sanctuary dedicated to St. Kateri Tekakwitha, who was canonized in 2012 and be-

This morning, following breakfast, we depart for Trois Rivieres. We celebrate Mass at the Our Lady of the Cape Shrine and explore the second-largest Shrine in North America. We continue to the Shrine of Cap de la Madeleine, Canada’s primary Shrine to the Blessed Virgin Mary. We visit the Shrine, pray the Rosary at the Bridge of Rosaries, and see the Gardens of Our Lady. In the afternoon, we settle into our hotel and explore the small, charming town of Three Rivers. Tonight, we will enjoy a treat at Trois Rivieres Restaurant Vin Rouge (TBC), where we will gather for dinner. Overnight in Trois Rivieres. (B. Special Dinner)

We depart early this morning, driving to the beautiful Shrine of Saint Anne De Beaupre. This is Canada’s most famous pilgrimage place. Dedicated to St. Anne by the Jesuit Fathers in 1657, the sanctuary is in a small village near the St. Lawrence River. The stones of this beautiful church whisper to all who come here of the joys, happiness, hopes, fears, pain, and suffering of all those who came before to place their prayers before the Lord, His Blessed Mother, and His Grandmother. We celebrate Mass at the Basilica, place our petition at the base of St. Anne’s beautiful statue, attend Adoration and prayers for the sick, pray the Stations of the Cross, or spend time in the Memorial Chapel. Many pilgrims go up the Holy Stairs on their knees as an act of penance. We visit a local farm known for its maple production before driving to Quebec City for a panoramic tour of this unique city, where we can experience Europe without leaving the North American continent. We may want to stop at the famous Hotel Chateau Frontenac for a visit. Our farewell dinner is at Le Mordus Brasserie du Coin (TBC). Overnight in Quebec City. (B. Special dinner)

This morning, following breakfast, we have time to explore Quebec City and visit the Cathedral of Notre Dame De Québec, which has the only Holy Door on the North American continent. We celebrate Mass at the beautiful Basilica, walk through the Garden Path, and enter through the Holy Door. Following lunch, we transfer to the airport for our flight home.