Canada NewsWire (press release), Canada
May 13 2005

A Celebration of Nations – Cultural and Religious Celebrations at
Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal – Sunday, May 15, 2005 from 2:00
to 4:00 pm

MONTREAL, May 13 /CNW Telbec/ – As part of the centenary celebrations
of Saint Joseph’s Oratory, a major intercultural and inter-religious
event called A Celebration of Nations has been scheduled to take place
at the Basilica on Sunday, May 15, 2005, Day of Pentecost. The event
will feature a variety of rituals, music, prayers, choir singing,
readings and dance. Admission is free.

Max Gros-Louis, Grand Chief of the Huron Nation and member of the
Centenary Committee of Honour, will inaugurate the event with a First
Nations purification ceremony. The celebration will be presided over
by Father André Charron CHC, Provincial Superior of the Congregation
of the Holy Cross, in the company of Quebec Minister of Immigration
and Cultural Communities, Lise Thériault.

Representing Armenia, China, Congo, Jamaica, the Philippines, Rwanda,
the Tamil community and the Presbyterian Church, almost ten choirs and
dance companies will make the Basilica come alive with performances
reflecting their diverse cultural origins. Between performances,
clergy from four Christian churches, namely Armenian Apostolic,
Coptic, Presbyterian and Roman Catholic, will recite prayers from
their respective liturgical texts. Rita Lafontaine and Marc-André
Coallier, spokespersons for the Oratory’s centenary, will also read
texts by well-known personalities. The theme is A WORLD OF LOVE SINCE
1904, focussing on love as being both warm, welcoming, open and
compassionate as well as love in the sense of peace, justice, unity in
diversity and harmony among peoples.

“Saint Joseph’s Oratory is not only a heritage landmark but also a
great urban sanctuary and unique meeting place in the heart of the
city,” stated Father Charron. “Two million pilgrims and
visitors-people of all ages, of all nationalities, of all religious
denominations-flock to the Oratory each year for a multitude of
reasons, all in a spirit of peace and harmony. This celebratory
ritual will honour the great cultural and religious diversity of
Montreal, Quebec and all of Canada.”

For further information: Marie-Laurence Paré, Coordinator Massy-Forget
Public Relations, (514) 842-2455 extension 23, mlpare@mfrp.com; Eliane
Francoeur, Director of Centennial Events Saint Joseph’s Oratory of
Mount Royal, (514) 733-8216 extension 2994,
efrancoeur@saint-joseph.org