Ever feel transported to Rome while in Montreal? That’s exactly what the Cathedral Basilica of Mary Queen of the World and Saint James aims to do. It is a scaled-down replica of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
The story of this grand cathedral starts with Bishop Ignace Bourget. He wanted a new cathedral after the original Saint-Jacques Cathedral burned down in 1852. Bourget chose a design modeled after St. Peter’s Basilica. This choice was partly due to a rivalry with the Sulpician order and the Anglican Church. They favored the Neo-Gothic style. The location itself was controversial. It was in a primarily English neighborhood far from French-Canadian churchgoers.
Victor Bourgeau, the first architect, initially declined. He felt reproducing St. Peter’s on a smaller scale was impossible. However, Bishop Bourget was determined. He sent Fr. Joseph Michaud to Rome. Michaud secretly created a scale model to work from.
Construction on the Cathedral Basilica of Mary Queen of the World began in 1875. It was finally consecrated in 1894. Originally, it was named Saint James Cathedral. In 1919, Pope Benedict XV made it a minor basilica. Pope Pius XII rededicated it in 1955. It was then named Mary, Queen of the World.
The Cathedral Basilica of Mary Queen of the World is smaller than St. Peter’s. It covers about a quarter of the area. Still, it’s an impressive structure. The building is 101 meters long and 46 meters wide. At the cupola, it reaches a height of 77 meters. The cupola’s diameter is 23 meters.
Look at the statues on the roofline. These are not the twelve apostles. Instead, they represent patron saints of Montreal parishes. These parishes donated to the cathedral’s construction.
Inside the Cathedral Basilica of Mary Queen of the World, you will find many impressive features. The altar is covered by a neo-baroque ciborium. It is a reproduction of Bernini’s baldacchino in St. Peter’s Basilica. Joseph-Arthur Vincent created it in Rome in 1900. It is made of red copper and gold leaf.
The Cathedral Basilica of Mary Queen of the World’s great organ was built by Casavant Frères. It was inaugurated in 1893. The organ has been rebuilt and restored over the years. Today, it has 93 stops, four manuals, and one pedal board.
Paintings in the nave depict historical events in early Montreal. These paintings show scenes like the first Mass in Montreal. They also depict the martyrdom of Jean de Brébeuf and Gabriel Lalemant.
Don’t miss the chapels within the Cathedral Basilica of Mary Queen of the World. The Bishops’ mortuary chapel holds the tomb of Mgr. Bourget. The Chapel of the Assumption features a wood-carved altarpiece. It was made around 1635 in Switzerland.
The Cathedral Basilica of Mary Queen of the World stands as a testament to faith. It embodies architectural ambition. It reflects Montreal’s connection to the Catholic world. Take a moment to appreciate this unique blend of Rome and Montreal.