Dedicated to Our Lady of Good Help, Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours for 300 years has been the sanctuary for seamen leaving Montreal for the seven seas.
A wooden chapel was built in 1657; replaced in 1675 by a building whose foundations serve the present church which was erected in 1771.
Over the entrance is an inscribed message: “If the love of Mary is graven in your heart, forget not a prayer in passing.”
Our Lady of Good Help is a beautiful little church, with fine paintings. On the walls are mosaics of Marguerite Bourgeoys, who inspired the first chapel; and of Maisonneuve, founder of Montreal, said to have felled the first oak for the chapel.
A narrow stairway, lined with pilgrims’ acknowledgments, leads to an aerial chapel set in the roof. Here is a facsimile of the Santa Casa, the house of the Virgin reputedly carried by angels from Nazareth to Loreto.
Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys was the founder of the Congregation of Notre Dame. When she returned from France in 1673 she brought back with her a wood statue of Our Lady of Good Help. It can still be seen in the reliquary on the gospel side of the altar, for when the church burned in 1754, the statue was saved from the fire. This is not to say that someone took the statue from the church, for after the fire had ravaged the original chapel, the statue was found uninjured among the smoldering embers that remained.
The mortal remains of Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys were interred in the sanctuary of the church in the year 2005, the 350th anniversary of Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours. She rests now at the feet of the statue she herself had brought from France.
In 1849 the Bishop of Montreal placed a statue of the Blessed Virgin, Star of the Sea, atop the tower facing the harbor. For this reason, the chapel is also known as the Sailor’s Church. There are votive offerings, carved ships, models of sailing ships suspended from the vault of the chapel in thanksgiving to the Blessed Virgin for her assistance in their safe return from the sea.
Our Lady Of Good Help, pray for us!
[From The Woman In Orbit & Other Catholic Sources]
Good morning
I so much enjoyed this article. Since I have family up in Montreal. I recognized the Saints names you mentioned- What glorious Saints we have to recall in our Catholic Faith.
I have been to Montreal numerous times to my sister’s & my now deceased brother-in law was always kind enough to take me to Norte Dame considered the largest Oratory(Canada). This is truely a fabulous place of Miracles-
I had the great joy of leading a Rosary to the public in one of the large chapels. Exceeding joy for me.
Anyhow you probably already know of Brother Andre Bessette- now Sainted.
If not I highly recommend you read a book about him. So very incredulous-how he is responsible for how this great Cathedral(full of crutches,wheelchairs, & canes remain (some hidden in large pillars now) As a Testament to the many miracles he performed.He is well-known in my home region-upstate NY as he travailed the whole area- many times on foot to heal the sick. He used a St Joseph medal & Holy Oil & many were cured- You must read his book. This tid-bit of info does not do him justice.
I have friends in my hometown whose name is Bessette(His relatives).
It is definitely a place to go to.
Anyhow I just had to share this.
Unfortunately I never have been to the church you mention here- because the Oratory of Notre Dame always got my attention. I would love to visit Our Lady of Good Help also- especially to look upon the statue & find out more.
There are many Spiritual treasures to be found in the North East US.
Blessings to you-
In your most difficult decisions may I suggest: to constantly be holding the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary-and to be praying this miraculous pray many times throughout the day/night. I know you will find the peace you so desire through the prayers of the Rosary.✝️?✝️
In the meantime please know I am praying for you. God Bless!