Legion Of Mary Ottawa

350th Anniversary of Saint Louis-Marie Grignion De Montfort

The Legion of Mary, Regia of Ottawa celebrated the 350th anniversary of St. Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort's birth in a big way on his feast day of April 28th, 2023. The celebration centered around Notre Dame de Lourdes church In Ottawa, a Legion of Mary parish aptly administered by the Montfort Fathers Religious Congregation. The commemoration began with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament followed by Legion prayers and Rosary led by the Regia president, Maximilien Vachon. Holy Mass was then celebrated by the Auxiliary Bishop of the Ottawa-Cornwall Archdiocese, the Most Reverend Yvan Mathieu, SM, along with five other priests and the spiritual director of the parish praesidium, Notre Dame de Bon Accueil, Deacon Joseph Elivert. The bilingual Mass featured hymns in English, French, Latin and Creole. Following Holy Mass, a large procession of over 200, carrying Our Lady on a beautifully decorated bier, made their way to the Grotto of the Blessed Virgin located a few blocks away. Photos were taken in front of Our Lady's altar and in front of the large bronze statue of de Montfort. All then retired back to the parish hall where a lively wine and cheese reception ensued. It was a most fitting celebration of a major source of inspiration for our Legion's founder, Frank Duff.