Sanctuare Marie-Reine-des-Coeurs

Whispers of faith echo within the Sanctuare Marie-Reine-des-Coeurs. Here, amidst the bustling energy of Montreal, stands a testament to devotion and architectural ingenuity. The Sanctuare Marie-Reine-des-Coeurs isn’t just a place of worship. It’s a story etched in stone and glass, a story that began long before its first stones were laid in 1959. For twelve years, starting in 1940, the Montfortain Fathers searched for the perfect location to build their dream. A sanctuary dedicated to Mary, Queen of Hearts. They envisioned a complex encompassing a retreat center, a residence for preachers, the headquarters for their magazine, a religious bookstore, administrative offices, and a symbolic tower. Their vision finally found its home in northeast Montreal, a site approved by Cardinal Paul-Émile Léger in 1954. He stipulated that the sanctuary reside within a new parish, also dedicated to Mary, Queen of Hearts, and entrusted to the Montfortain Fathers. The Sanctuare Marie-Reine-des-Coeurs’s unique architecture draws the eye, resembling a massive megaphone, amplifying the whispers of prayer within. The curved glass facade and accordion-shaped roof conceal a fan-shaped floor plan. Inside, the chancel forms a stone semicircle, illuminated by high windows and a skylight that bathes the altar and golden columns in a celestial glow. Similar columns line the back wall, supporting the tribune and its organ. The stations of the Cross adorn the walls, their wooden figures suspended by chains, adding warmth to the contemporary design. Cylindrical white chandeliers, adorned with crosses, cast a soft glow throughout the Sanctuare Marie-Reine-des-Coeurs. A prominent rotunda houses a statue of the Queen of Hearts, cradling her child, surrounded by hundreds of flickering votive lamps. Beneath lies a replica of Saint Louis-Marie-de-Montfort’s tomb, the inspiration behind the Montfortain Fathers. Outside, a statue of Montfort faces the church, near a 100-foot tower bearing a cross. The Sanctuare Marie-Reine-des-Coeurs has witnessed the ebb and flow of time. The retreat center, initially bustling with activity, eventually closed in 1968, a victim of changing times. The bookstore and magazine also ceased operations in later years. Yet, the Sanctuare Marie-Reine-des-Coeurs remains a vibrant hub. It continues to serve as a beacon of faith, hosting daily masses, rosaries, and confessions. The Sanctuare Marie-Reine-des-Coeurs also houses the Procure of the Montfortain Missions and serves as a residence for Montfortain Fathers and Brothers. It stands as a testament to their enduring devotion to Mary, Queen of Hearts.