Bonjour from Quebec

Hard to believe, but we have almost made it to Quebec city! A

distance of over 5300 km and a plane ride of over 6 hours, we have walked it in less than 3 months and this walk ain't over yet! I'm going to try something different this blog. I'm going to let one of my fellow walkers, Frances Platt write my blog. So here it is......

Hello Everyone, I am here typing as three of the Crossroads group... including Michael... are valiantly walking the night shift in this last week.

Yesterday was one of the most challenging and inspiring city walks, for we walked right into downtown Montreal, visiting 3 magnificient churches - Our Lady Queen of the World, St. Patrick's and Notre Dame. For the first stage we were joined by a man and his son, and a friend of Jon, Mike and Frances joined us for the whole afternoon.

We began our walk with Mass at Our Lady Queen of the World, a large Church modeled after St. Peter's in Rome (though only about 1/4 the size). It was majestically

beautiful and awe inspiring... pictures cannot capture it properly. Sadly there was a pro-abortion message spray painted onto the sidewalk right beside the church steps... in

direct contrast to the lasting call of the Catholic Church to uphold the sanctity of life.

Next we went to St. Patrick's Church, which was also stunning. It had one of the largest high altars I have ever seen. Around the inner

walls of the Church were a few hundred iconic pictures of the saints.

The third Church that we visited was Notre Dame, one of the most beautiful Churches I have ever seen... breathtaking! However, it was really very sad since people have to pay to go inside

unless you are going to visit the small Chapel to

the side where they have the Tabernacle. We

visited both, but it is really hard to pray with all the cameras and tours going on. I hope and pray

that the Church will be able to become what it was built to be.... a temple for God.

To finish off in the city we went to visit Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception church, close by, to stop in for some quiet prayer and Eucharistic Adoration. It was so peaceful, a quiet refuge in

the midst of the busy city.

Afterwards, we left the city and went to visit

the tomb of St. Kateri, just outside of Montreal. Her body was in a small mission Church dedicated to St. Francis Xavier. It was very special to be able to visit the resting place of this humble and gentle saint.

To end the day, we made a final visit to St. Joseph's Oratory to see the museum and Br. Andre's heart. It was a fitting end to our time in Montreal.

I got back to the RV first, and there a woman complained about the RV, but also attacked the pro-life message... stating "Abortion is legal in Canada." In many ways her statement was that of many of the people we met throughout the day. There were some very openly supportive people, but most were incredulous that anyone would be speaking out for the sanctity and dignity of life..... they gave little response, but when they did it was to basically state that abortion was not an issue. Montreal needs our prayers.... this city used to be vibrantly Catholic, as is evidenced by the magnificent and plentiful

Churches, but most of the people seemed to have lost their faith.

We stayed in a lovely RV park for the night, and the day crew began walking about 10:00 am. It was an interesting day to walk... the weather kept changing. I walked in overcast weather, drizzle, rain and sun. The best part about the walk, was that each of the small towns that we went through had a lovely Church on the main road. We often took a small moment to stop for a short visit and prayer.

The day ended with a delicious dinner prepared by the night crew. Then we went to a evening Mass at the shrine of St. Ann.... there was also a lovely Candlelight procession around the church at the end of the Mass.

Tomorrow we will be going for a longer visit to the shrine... which you will hear about...

God Bless.