The Churches of Quebec, Canada

One thing that this family loves about traveling to different places is experiencing our Catholic faith in different areas of the country and of the world. 

We've been to some really special churches. 

Of course our church is our very favorite. 

(Easter, 2023) 

But there is just something about going to Mass in another place - meeting the people - hearing the different prayers (or just a different way) - seeing the alter and the actual structure of the building - hearing the music. It's actually one of my favorite parts of vacations. 

Sunday Mass at Saint Patrick's in Quebec

So on the Sunday of our trip to Quebec, Canada, Scott did some research (ahead of time) and found an English speaking Mass for us. It wasn't in 'Old Quebec' but right outside in a residential area, which I loved. 

The priest was so friendly. He was in the entry way when we ran in dodging a quick downpour and he actually told us not to park where we were so we wouldn't get towed, ha! So Scott ran back out to move the car and the girls and I found a spot to sit. 

Holy Door, Quebec 

On one of our last days we were able to fit in going to the Holy Door. Here is a bit of background on that: 

Located in the Notre Dame Basilica-Cathedral, the Holy Door of Québec City is one of seven such doors worldwide, and the only one to be found outside Europe.

Holy Doors symbolize a passage between what one leaves behind to what one wishes to walk toward. There are six other such Doors around the world: four in Rome, one in Spain and one in France.

The Holy Door in Québec City was inaugurated in 2013 during the 350th anniversary celebration of the founding of the Notre-Dame de Québec parish by François de Laval. A Holy Door is generally kept sealed, only being opened in holy years. The Holy Door is currently open on the occasion of the 350th anniversary of the diocese of Québec until December 8, 2024.

The act of walking through the Holy Door to enter the Basilica reflects the inner journey of comp templating ones life and seeking the truth. For Catholics it's significant because it offers an "extraordinary pathway" toward salvation with a special indulgence. It is only opened every 25 years to mark a special Jubilee year. We were so blessed that we were able to be there. 

What we didn't know that inside the Holy Door would be a special alter and area for prayer along with several significant relics. Included was the relic of Saint Kateri Takakwitha, Abigail's patron saint. 

There was a place to write prayers and then after that we realized that Saint Takakwitha's relic was there. 

Basilica Cathedral of Quebec 

Standing on the same location since 1647 and designated a Canada National Historic Site given its architectural value, the Cathedral bears witness to the history of a whole population. Here rest four governors of New France, the bishops of the diocese of Québec and a funerary chapel dedicated to François de Laval. Visitors will see various works of art and pieces of archives with the splendid interior decoration as a background. You could also see de Holy Door.

What a beautiful place to visit. Although you could enter the Basilica through the Holy Door we actually visited it another time.  

Notre-Dame Victories Catholic Church 

This is a magnificent church - beautiful, impressive. It is the first Catholic church in North America, dating back to 1664. Amazing 

 

Loving Our Adventure Wall

Last summer we were in the main store of LLBean (in Maine) on our way to Acadia National Park. I saw a sign that was painted. It read, "Maine Bluberries". Now for a girl who literally walks around saying almost daily, "blueberries are my life", I really wanted it. 

I thought of the porch right away. I've been looking/thinking about that wall since we added on and I just never found the right thing to hang there. Oh how I wanted something authentic. Nothing against stores like 'Homegoods' 'Michaels' or 'Hobby Lobby"; they are great for seasonal decor. But I sure didn't want a new seasonal project where I was constantly buying new things for the wall and switching out each season. No way! But of course that is why it has been blank since we built. Which was fine, but something in me when I saw "Maine Blueberries" clicked. 

But then I thought, "that doesn't make sense; why would I buy a wooden sign that says Maine on it for a porch in Connecticut?" Kind of dumb actually. So I left that sign there.

Then in the middle of the trip we were in Acadia at Jordan Pond. We hiked that day and ate lunch at the famous tea and popovers. We peeked into the gift shop and I saw another sign. Click HERE to see that day. As soon as I saw the Jordan Pond sign I knew what I could do -- what if I bought the Jordan Pond sign, stopped back on our way home and got that Maine Blueberries sign and then filled in the wall with all of the other places we've visited recently. 

Well my heart skipped a beat with that idea! That was over a year ago, and yes it took me almost a year to make this happen. I would have like to actually find a poster or sign from each of the places we'd visited but I filled in with posters and signs online. Some of them are really cool! (especailly the map of Novia Scotia) 

We finally framed all of them and hung them up (after getting one more of Whistler). There are still a few places to find but I know I will. 

From now on, whenever we travel far enough from home I will be on the lookout for another for our wall. 

Let me show you how it turned out: 

I took these picture really quick but even as I'm typing in our dining room, I can look out the kitchen sink window and see that wall from here. I love that it shows from the porch (of course), the kitchen, the dining room, and the family room. It feels completed and oh so wonderful to me. 

Click HERE to see my instagram where there is a Reel on putting this up. 

May there be many more adventures with my sweet family and many more poster and signs up here reminding us of them! 

Our Last Full Day in Vancouver - and Real Life Traveling

I don't talk about it too much - or write about it much on this blog but when my family 'hits the road' we do it despite some real challenges. 

Some when I write them don't sound like much at all. And no one will ever really know that it is like for Scott and I - but we feel so strongly in giving our family these experiences that we do it anyway - even though it is hard. 

Only one issue we have to navigate through on trips are Abigail's allergies. She is amazing, courageous, positive. She never complains. - never has. 

When we are at a restaurant she can't pick anything off the menu. She hands the staff a personal business card with her picture on it and a list of her allergies - and a thank you for helping me. 

And she literally says when it's time to order, as she hands the staff her allergy card,  "anything you can make me would be great, thank you so much." 

Sometimes there is an amazing chief who will work hard to make something special for her. 

Sometimes there is just boiled chicken on a plate. 

It's not easy for her. But she does better than Scott and I who crumble at the 'boiled chicken' type of restaurant food. 

Well this was one day that was spectacular for our little girl -- a totally vegan donut shop. {Abigail is not vegan - but a restaurant that is vegan will be dairy free, and since that is one of her severe allergies is it one place we can take her} 

Just take a look at these donuts. 

And know...

This is the FIRST EVER donut Abigail has ever had that was not made my me at home. {and homemade donuts are not the same!} 

Yup, these were all safe for her to eat. We wanted to buy her all of them! 

She chose a chocolate one with chocolate frosting. 

And a sprinkles one for later that day. 

Best morning ever! 

Then we went to Mass at the Holy Rosary Cathedral. HERE is the website. 

It was stunning and was the most lovely homily. We talked about it throughout the rest of our day. 

I love going to church in different places -- I love that feeling of connectedness with the larger Church. 

We spent the rest of the day in Stanley Park. And even took a private carriage ride through the park. HERE you can read more about that beautiful park. 

 

We meandered along the water and just enjoyed our last full day in Vancouver. 

The next day we would check out and move on to our second destination! 

Vancouver Island, Victoria, Boutchart Gardens

This day was an excursion for us. We read so much about Vancouver Island and the city on it called Victoria that we really wanted to fit it into our trip! Getting to see Bouchart Gardens was an added bonus for sure! 

We got up really early and were picked up at our hotel. Super friendly bus driver - it was a smaller bus so it only had a few families and we didn't really spend the day together - just travel (which was good!) 

We drove over an hour to where the ferry goes to Vancouver Island. 

HERE is a little more on that island. One of the things I love about adventure type vacations (with a lot of luxury thrown in) is that my girls get to see lots of different parts of this beautiful world. I know, there is so so much and this is just a little teeny tiny bit, but I love that they are seeing and experiencing different things. 

The ferry was actually huge! It had a huge store that we explored and all of the cars (floors and floors of them) drove right on. So fun! 

We relaxed, talked, people watched, and snacked for about 1.5 hours until we landed. 

Then that same mini bus drove right off of the ferry and in about 30 minutes we were in the city of Victoria! 

The first thing I noticed were the flowers. Stunning, colorful, elegant beauty! 

And see that hotel in the background? Oh I want to stay there someday! If only it wasn't 3 plane rides, bus rides, and ferry rides away from home. 

A perfect sunny and not warm day -- a just right day for shorts and a sweater. My favorite kind of weather in the summer. 

We decided to have lunch overlooking the water and while Scott was getting the table, Anna and I walked around a bit to take some photos. 

We ate right down there - under those orange umbrellas. So fun. 

After lunch it was time to explore the streets of Victoria. 

 

Love this one of Scott navigating the streets and the hats on my girls. 

and our first stop as an ice cream shoppe that dipped in chocolate -- and they had V E G A N for Abigail. (she has a serious dairy allergy) 

The oldest Chinatown in Canada is right there in downtown Victoria. 

I fell in love with this Chinese Public School. 

I would have loved to walk around in there - just a peek through the gate was not enough! 

We walked around the Empress a while. Wish we could have had high tea there. 

But we had one more stop on Vancouver Island -- the Boutchart Gardens -- and they were spectacular!

This was one stop my Dad said not to miss. Although he'd never been he seen, heard, read about this most famous gardens in the world! 

HERE is the website on The Butchart Gardens 

They were truly impossible to photograph. Impossible to capture the depth, the color, the beauty. I honestly just took pictures to remember if we look back at them. 

After a day of perfection it was time to head back over the ferry to the city of Vancouver. We got back to our hotel around 10:00 PM. So worth every moment. 

And we saw some spectacular sunsets too!