8 days, 8 blogs, 1 goal

For the celebrations from June 24 through to July 1st, we offer 8 historical flashbacks, in the hope that they will keep our memory sharp and fuel our reflections. Your comments are welcome!

This serie will be published from June 24, a feast for French Canadians, through to July 1, Canada day. It is a daily affair.

SEE THE BLOGS BELOW. GOOD READ!

Featured

Joseph, patron of Canada since 1624

Are there any reasons to rejoice and to celebrate in Quebec during Canada Day on July 1st? As a renewal to our motives for celebration, we would probably have to go back to our origins and reconnect with the historical perspective, revisit the spirit of the foundation of our country, whose destinies were entrusted to St Joseph in 1624…

June 30: The "O Canada", our national anthem?

The "O Canada", the national anthem of Canada, speaks loud and clear about the faith of its founding fathers. Could it help us reconnect with "the true meaning" of Canada Day on July 1st? After all, the "O Canada" was, right from the beginning, a patriotic anthem, commissioned by the Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste, as a unifying symbol for French Canadians.

June 29: What do we celebrate on July 1st?

To this question, the answers vary widely, and often demonstrate mixed patriotism towards Canada Day. When you hear words like "national day" from the mouth of Quebecers, it is almost invariably in reference to the Quebec National Holiday, celebrated on June 24th.

June 28: A remarkable legacy

“During the final months of the Second World War, a soldier once said of Georges Vanier
that meeting him 'made him feel proud just to be a Canadian’. The story of the Vaniers
is, in a sense, the story of the best that Canada can offer, and it, too, should make Canadians proud.” (Excerpt taken from the website of The Vanier Institute of the Family)

June 27: Manessier in Canada

Interesting fact: that the visit of the painter Manessier in Canada, and especially the impact it had on his life, his inner conversion and his art.

Open letter to Mayor Jean Tremblay of Ville Saguenay

Dear Mr Mayor,

For a number of years you have vaillantly fought to preserve "catholic religion's share of Quebec's public place". Your personal contribution to this worthy cause is beyond remarkable!

I am sending you these words because they are sincerely heartfelt.

June 25: Montreal's 375th is just around the corner!

Who has not yet heard about the 375th Anniversary of the foundation of Montreal in 2017? Preparations are already quite advanced. How will this anniversary be celebrated?

The Society for the Celebrations of Montreal's 375th Anniversary, assembled in 2013, offers Montrealers an opportunity to invest in and to help improve their neighbourghood by solliciting private and public partners. Creativity is the thing, and the organization very openly displays, on its stylized logo, the Mount Royal recognizable by its cross at the top.

June 24: National Holiday for Quebec?

Are you fond of recuperation? For the past several years, we have been witnessing profound transformations to our June 24 celebrations, known as the "Saint John the Baptist Day".

Well, NO! It is not the official holiday of the Quebec nation; the feast of all French Canadians is its true origin. Not only those residing in Quebec, but ALL those belonging to the Quebec or Acadian diaspora, from New England to Ontario, and to the Maritimes, and out to the whole of Western Canada. Saint John the Baptist is also known and celebrated by all Catholics throughout the world.

Périfmédia24 June 2015