Summer might be half over, but there is still plenty of travel time before the snow flies to visit some great sites in our country. Let’s take a look at some of the most interesting places to see to learn more about other faiths and to experience the peace and power of the past.
Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, Quebec
The peak season to make a pilgrimage to this stunning basilica along the Saint Lawrence River is July 26, the feast of St. Anne, who is the patron saint of Quebec. Many believe St. Anne intercedes for the pious to obtain miracles. Building began on the present-day basilica in 1926 and was finished in 1946, but the land where the building sits was donated to the Catholic Church in 1658. The building is not only home to the Catholic Church, it’s also a beautiful piece of architecture. Over half a million people come to the basilica annually.
Saint Joseph’s Oratory, Montreal
Saint Joseph’s Oratory is a minor basilica, but it is the largest church in Canada. Construction began on a small chapel in 1904. In 1924, construction started on the basilica, but this was not completed until 1967. The dome of the basilica is the third-largest in the world. About two million visitors come to the basilica each year. On the 100th anniversary of the Oratory, it was designated as a National Historic Site of Canada.
Petroglyphs Provincial Park, Woodview, Ontario
The Park is another National Historic Site, designated as the largest collection of First Nation rock carvings in Ontario. The glyphs are an important part of the history, but the rock site is a sacred place to the local Ojibwe people. The visitor center offers a great deal of information about the site and has a children’s hands-on activity room and a movie about the site. You won’t be allowed to photograph or videotape the rock carvings out of respect for the spirituality of the site.
Valley of the Ten Peaks, Banff National Park, Alberta
When you think of crystal-clear water, you might think of the Caribbean. But there’s a site right in this great country that features a crystal-clear blue-green lake surrounded by ten mountains giving you beautiful scenes and a calm atmosphere. The secluded valley is thought to be the home of the Nakoda, who are also known as the Stoney Indians. Although the mountains have been given individual names, at one time they were simply known by the numbers one through 10.
Majorville Medicine Wheel, South Alberta
A medicine wheel is a stone circle built by the First Nation tribes. Sites containing them are thought to have religious, astronomical and calendrical significance for the tribes. The one at Majorville features one of the most complex designs for a site of this nature. The aesthetic value is preserved because it overlooks an undisturbed native prairie. There are many other medicine wheels to visit in Canada. Saskatchewan boasts three:
- Roy Rivers medicine wheel
- Turtle medicine wheel
- Tipperary Creek medicine wheel
Martyrs’ Shrine, Ontario
The Canadian Jesuit Martyrs’ Shrine is consecrated to the memory of Canadian and Jesuit martyrs, including Isaac Jogues (1607-1646), who was captured by the Iroquois, tortured and lost his fingers before being made a slave. He escaped and went to France, then returned to Canada to be a missionary. He was martyred at the age of 39. The shrine was consecrated in 1926. It’s only open through the summer season, because it was not built with insulation. There are a number of guided walking tours throughout the grounds to explore the monuments that have been erected.
You don’t have to be Catholic or a native First Nations people to visit one of these beautiful sites and experience the spirituality associated with the location. Take some time to see what’s in our great nation.
