Here is an alphabetical listing of some of the events taking place during the 2011 – 2012 Anniversary Year together with a contact person for each event
Archive of the Jesuits in Canada, Montreal, QC – Bruce Henry
The presentation of a Travelling Exhibition – The Jesuits in Canada, 1611 – 2011, Men for Others – illustrating the ministry of the Jesuits in Canada for the last four centuries. The exhibition - consisting of some 150 to 200 pieces - will include documents, rare books, objects, photographs and works of art.
Confirmed exhibition dates:
- May 15 to June 13, 2011: Chapel of the National Historic Site of Canada, Port Royal, Nova Scotia
- June 18 to September 25, 2011: Eglise Notre-Dame-de-la-Presentation - Shawinigan, Quebec
- January 2012: Loyola High School, Montreal, Quebec
- More dates and venues TBA
Brebeuf College School, Toronto, ON – Michael Dacosta
Brebeuf College School and the Jesuits in English Canada are sponsoring a Poster and Essay Contest for secondary students to help celebrate the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the Jesuits in Canada. The winning poster design will be used by Jesuit institutions as a visual reminder of this important milestone in history of the Society of Jesus in Canada. The poster will be unveiled during the 2011-2012 anniversary year.
The essay must be a response to the question: What has been the most important Jesuit contribution to the Church in Canada over the past 400 years?
Any student of a Jesuit secondary school or secondary school with a Jesuit heritage in Canada may submit a poster for the contest. These schools include: Loyola High School (Montreal), St. Paul’s High School (Winnipeg), St. Bonaventure’s College (St. John’s), Gonzaga High School (St. John’s), Brebeuf College School (Toronto), and Regiopolis / Notre Dame High School (Kingston).
- A mural on the 400th Anniversary theme will be painted by students at Brebeuf College School.
- The annual communion Mass and Breakfast will have a 400th Anniversary theme.
Campion College, Regina, SK – Ben Fiore, SJ
May 2011: The Campion College community will make a pilgrimage/visit to the Canadian Martyrs Parish in Regina; visit the shrine of the Divine Mercy across from the church, and then visit Mother Teresa Middle School for an orientation visit and open house.
Canadian Martyrs Jesuits, Toronto, ON – Len Altilia, SJ
May 22, 2011 to May 22, 2012 : A Banner bearing the 400th Anniversary logo will be displayed on the community property to promote the anniversary year in the neighborhood.
September 11, 2011: The Jesuit community will invite the neighbourhood to an Open House to meet the Jesuits and to learn about their history. They will also prepare a small handout with a brief history of the Society in Canada, and a short history of the Jesuit community at 2 Dale Avenue.
Canadian Messenger of the Sacred Heart, Toronto, ON – Fred Power, SJ
The June 2011 issue of the publication will include an article on St. Anthony Daniel, SJ’s ministry in Cape Breton and Acadia 400 years ago.
Cardoner House, Toronto, ON – Winston Rye, SJ
May 2011 – May 2012: “Spiritual Conversation” nights and the community retreat in August 2012 will use the theme from the Jesuits in English Canada Congress – "Remember, Renew, Without Counting the Cost."
Ignatius Jesuit Centre of Guelph, Guelph, ON – Jim Profit, S.J.
- May 2011: Launch of The 400 Society – a fundraising venture for the Centre kicks off.
- September 24, 2011: The annual Harvest Feast dinner will highlight the 400th anniversary.
Ignatian Centre, Montreal, QC – Reta Desfosses
2011: An Open House which will centre on the Spiritual Exercises and Ignatian Spirituality in Canada and especially in Montreal.
Jesuit Centre of Spirituality, Halifax, NS – Jean Marc Laporte, SJ
May 22, 2011:
- 12.30 p.m: The Inaugural Celebrations at Port Royal, Nova Scotia. The Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia will be in attendance among other invited dignitaries.
- 3.00 p.m.: Church of St. Louis in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia – a Mass presided over by the Archbishop of Halifax.
Click here for more Event Details
Jesuit Communication Project, Toronto, ON – John Pungente, SJ & Monty Williams, SJ
May 22: 2011 – The publication of Finding God in the Dark 2 – with a dedication – as follows:
“In gratitude for the vision of Ignatius continued by the Jesuits in Canada, we celebrate that time, four hundred years ago, when Jesuits – Fathers Pierre Biard and Ennemond Masse – first arrived in Canada at Port Royal, Nova Scotia, on May 22, 1611. Within that tradition, The Jesuit Communication Project humbly acknowledges its identity and mission as an apostolate of the Society of Jesus in Canada.”
Jesuit Forum for Social Faith and Justice, Toronto, ON – Anne-Marie Jackson
- June 9 – 10, 2011: in conjunction with Canadian Jesuits International (CJI) and the Ignatius Jesuit Centre, the Jesuit Forum for Social Faith and Justice will hold an invitation only seminar in Hamilton. Entitled “Seeking Wisdom in a Time of Crisis: Integrating Social Justice, Ecology and Spirituality,” the seminar will be followed by a public forum on the evening of June 10.
- Fall 2011: An article in the Open Space newsletter will inform readers about the Jesuits' 400th Anniversary giving some relevant historical details and relating it to their present work.
Jesuits in English Canada, Toronto, ON – John Pungente, SJ
- Throughout the Anniversary year, the front of the provincial offices will have a banner promoting the Jesuits 400 years in Canada.
- In July 2011, the Jesuits in English Canada will hold a Congress for Jesuits and their colleagues at Martyrs' Shrine near Midland.
Jesuits in French Canada, jésuite du Canada français - Quebec City, QC - French Province
May 12, 2012: Quebec City: Closing events for the 400th anniversary of the first arrival of the Jesuits in Canada. The day includes a Mass of thanksgiving, a pilgrimage to the tomb of Fr. Ennemond Massé, a concert and cultural activities. For more details please see the poster here.
Jesuit Novitiate, Pedro Arrupe House, Montreal, QC– Erik Oland, SJ
May 22, 2011: Port Royal, Nova Scotia - participation of Jesuit Fathers Bernard Carrière, Erik Oland, Marc Rizzetto at the opening Anniversary Mass. Novices Adam Lalonde and Thomas Slabon are on the novitiate pilgrimage during the month of May with Port Royal as their destination. Together, they will re-enact the arrival of Frs. Biard and Massé at Port Royal.
July 2011: Midland, Ontario – the novices will present an Anniversary themed skit during the Jesuits of English Canada Congress.
December 13, 2011 - Anniversary-themed concert at the Gesù Church, Montreal by members of the Novitiate community.
May 12, 2012 – Participation of Jesuit Fathers Bernard Carrière, Erik Oland, Marc Rizzetto at the Québec City Mass closing the Anniversary year.
Lonergan Research Institute, Toronto, ON – Gordon Rixon, SJ
October 14, 2011: The 10th Annual Lonergan Lecture by Professor Chip Hughes.
Loyola High School, Montreal, QC – Mike Murray, SJ
2012: Loyola will host the Exhibition, "The Jesuits in Canada, 1611-2011: Men for Others"
April 2012: The annual History Fair will focus on the theme of the anniversary, inviting the student's who prepare their exhibitions to reflect different scenes from the past 400 years of Jesuit history in Canada.
Martyrs' Shrine, Midland, ON – Bernard Carroll, SJ
- In July, the Jesuits in English Canada will hold a Congress to mark the 400th Anniversary for which the Shrine will be the co-hosts.
- On opening day – May 14, 2011 – and for the week to follow there will be a a special presentation announcing the 400th Anniversary year for visitors.
- During the months of May, June, September and October, a 400th anniversary component will be added to each of the school group presentations
- A series of monthly presentations on each of the Canadian Martyrs will highlight their roles as initiators of the Jesuit mission over these 400 years in Canada.
- If you go up to the Penetang area in the Georgian Bay, you will pass a village called Caragouha where the first Mass was celebrated in Ontario. The year was 1615. This Mass was celebrated by the Franciscans who first accompanied Samuel de Champlain on his opening up of the region now known as Ontario. Soon after, the Franciscans asked the Jesuits to take over the mission to New France. The Caragouha Mass is celebrated on the date – August 12 - and at the location of that first Mass. Prior to and after the Caragouha Mass, the Shrine will pay special attention to the significance of this event to the 400th Anniversary year.
- There will be a special prayer at each Mass, asking the pilgrims to pray for the Society of Jesus during its anniversary year.
- During July, the Shrine will host a choir from Italy which specializes in 17th century choral pieces. They will sing at one of the Sunday Masses and are expected to perform for the general public later in the afternoon.
Ogilvie Residence, Ottawa, ON – Joseph Gavin, SJ
Events planned for the Anniversary year include:
- Pilgrimage and Mass at Canadian Martyrs Church.
- Presentation of Ministries of Ottawa Jesuits to Lay Collaborators on the feast of St. John Ogilve, October 14, 2011.
- Talks at St. Paul’s University on Jesuit Spirituality.
René Goupil House, Pickering – Phil Shano, SJ
May 2011 – A celebration at René Goupil House in gratitude for Barbara DeCarlo’s dedicated service to the English Canadian Jesuits for 48 years with special thanks for the positive impact her work has had on the ministry of René Goupil House.
Regis College, Toronto, ON – Joe Schner, SJ
November 9, 2011: The annual Remembrance Mass will remember the aboriginal students from the Spanish Residential School who died.
November 19, 2011: Convocation will honour Jean-Marc Laporte, SJ, and Bob Doran, SJ, as representatives of the Canadian and non-Canadian Jesuits who have served at Regis.
St. Bonaventure College, St. John’s, NL – Nina Beresford
May 6, 2011: A Mothers' Day Mass will raise awareness of the Anniversary.
October 21, 2011: Special celebration of the Feast of the Canadian Martyrs.
November 2011: During the Heritage Fair some grades or students will research the following topics:
- History of Jesuit Education
- History of Jesuit Education in Canada
- History of Jesuit Martyrs
- History of Jesuit Missions
December 2, 2011: The Feast of St. Francis Xavier will be marked by special Masses and Chapel services.
January/March, 2012: The Arrupe Lecture on a Social Justice issue.
March 22, 2012: A Forum “The Experiences of a Jesuit Education” with a panel of students, staff, parents and alums.
May 2012: Special event to mark the end of the Anniversary. TBA.
St. Ignatius Parish, Winnipeg, MB – Gerry McDougall, SJ
May, 2011: A parish Mass will celebrate the Anniversary will be followed by a presentation on the Anniversary in the Parish Hall.
May 2011 – May 2012: The church will hang an Anniversary banner.
May 2011 – May 2012: The parish website will contain information on the Anniversary.
St. Ignatius School, Winnipeg, MB - Danielle Kolton
May 22, 2011: A special school Mass will celebrate the Anniversary.
May 2011: There will be special presentations to the school on the Anniversary.
St. Paul’s High School, Winnipeg, MB– Alan Fogarty, SJ
May 6, 2011 – A school Mass with invited guests to raise awareness of the Anniversary. Mention will also be made of the Anniversary in other Masses during the year, especially the Mass for the Canadian Martyrs.
The bi-annual Crusader Magazine cover will carry the theme and an accompanying article.
The website will carry images and the story.
Banners about the Anniversary will be displayed for some months internally and externally at the School.
Historical points about the Anniversary will be included in the monthly Parent Newsletter.
In the weekly all-school Examen, where the school comes together for prayer, historical points about the Anniversary will be included.
Spring 2012, the Anniversary will be part of the annual Ignatian Challenge Award Tribute Dinner.
Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons, Midland, ON
In 1639, the Jesuits began work on Ontario’s first European Community, Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons which would be the headquarters for the French Jesuit Mission to the Huron Wendat people. The Jesuits, along with French lay workers, began construction of a fenced community that included barracks, a church, workshops, residences, and a sheltered area for Native visitors.
By 1648, Sainte-Marie was a wilderness home to 66 French men, representing one-fifth of the entire population of New France. Sainte-Marie's brief history ended in 1649, when members of the mission community were forced to abandon and burn their home of nearly 10 years.
After extensive archaeological and historical research, Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons is now recreated on its original site, where the mission’s compelling story is brought to life.
To celebrate 400 years of the Jesuits in Canada, Saint-Marie will have a special exhibition running from the end of April to the end of October, 2011. The exhibit will include a high level history with some more focused information on Sainte-Marie and the Martyrs' Shrine. It will also include displays with archaeological material from some of the Huron Mission village sites and artifacts recovered from Sainte-Marie that are not normally on display.
An interesting challenge will be offered to the Jesuits in English Canada who will gather at Martyrs' Shrine near Midland, Ontario for a Congress at the end of July, 2011. Sainte-Marie has many photographs of Jesuits who are nameless. They are hoping that some of the Congress delegates will be able to identify these priests in a “Name the Jesuit” quiz.
Please consult the website for complete information about opening times of Sainte-Marie.
Thunder Bay District, Thunder Bay, ON – Larry Kroker, SJ
2011: July 23 Anticipating the Feast of St. Anne, July 26:
- Visit to Original Kam Site of the coming of the Jesuits to Thunder Bay – sunrise ceremony.
- Procession to Sacred Heart Chapel on Mount McKay – Recitation of the historical moments of Jesuit history.
- Mass and rededication of the Immaculate Conception Church, the founding church of the diocese.
2011: August 12 to 14: Diocesan Native Prayer Days will include an historical presentation concluding with a Mass of thanksgiving by the bishop.