The Prelate’s visit Toronto-Montreal

A brief summary of the days spent in Toronto and Montreal by Monsignor Ocáriz during his pastoral visit to Canada and the United States

Thursday, August 15

Toronto

The Father’s visit to Toronto came to a climactic close with a beautiful celebration of the Assumption of Our Lady. Women from all across the Greater Toronto Area and southwestern Ontario streamed into Kintore's oratory, filling it to capacity. Teresa played the organ and the choir led the singing at the Father’s last Mass in the city.

After Mass, everyone spontaneously gathered around the Father, taking advantage of their last opportunity to tell him a story or to shake his hand. Queenie asked him to bless a photo of her family. Grace took one last group selfie with the Father at the entrance of Kintore, before escorting him to his car. There were so many people waving goodbye to him on the street, thanking him for his visit, and taking photos that one man must have thought the Father was a TIFF celebrity and he stopped and started waving too.

Arrival in Montreal

The Prelate arrived in Montreal August 15, the feast day of the Assumption of Our Lady. The plane landed at about 5:00 pm. Some families from the Montreal area were there to greet him upon his arrival, Chairmaine, Matthew with their children, and Alexandre and Michelle with five of their children. They greeted him with flowers and banners saying Bienvenue à Montréal (Welcome to Montreal), and “Padre, joyeux anniversaire” and balloons with the number 48, referring to the Father’s 48th anniversary of priestly ordination. They brought a garland with Canadian motifs.

The Prelate then went by car to the Manoir de Beaujeu, where he will be staying over the next few days. The Manoir is a conference centre, where Opus Dei offer retreats, courses, workshops and seminars. Msgr. Ocariz will be based at the Manoir and meet members, cooperators and friends of Opus Dei from Montreal, Ottawa and Quebec City.

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