Notre Dame Basilica of Montreal: What Do We Pray For?
Its time to have an important conversation.
What do we pray for?
Who are we praying for?
Are we leaving anybody out of our prayers on purpose?
How much are we really willing to sacrifice?
How close are we really trying to emulate Jesus?
These are all questions I ask myself as I experienced one of the worst things imaginable when dealing with immigration after arriving to Canada in one of the unluckiest nights of my life----as I landed in Montreal past midnight right after the United States and Canadian government made a deal to try to eliminate certain loopholes related to migrants (mostly Latin American) making their way up north after receiving obviously-cold reception in the U.S..
Canada is notoriously strict in terms of -moving- to the country, requiring financial backing, a guaranteed job, and other requirements. It is what it is, I have to respect the nation’s decisions and procedures in terms of immigration. That being said, this behavior should not extend to those just trying to travel to Canada to get to know the country.
On the night I arrived, I got sent to multiple different immigration agents about my length of time staying in the country, how much money I planned on spending, where I was staying, what jobs I had back in Florida, and other questions that was making it clear that my answers were not being accepted by the folks in the Montreal airport. I got then sent to a room and had to wait for several hours for another agent to ask me the same questions and potentially ask even more about who I am and whether or not I should even be allowed to visit the country. Making it all the more jarring was that nearly everybody in the room were Latinos, including a freelance taxi driver from Mexico City who was actually denied entry altogether, having to stay overnight at customs to be flown back to Mexico.
Entire families, couples, and single people like myself walking around with a backpack were waiting for hours in the middle of the night just for the chance to explain our way to be able to discover Montreal and what Quebec has to offer. It was embarrassing, it was humiliating, it was overall infuriating. I wasn’t allowed to obtain my luggage; I had to sit there and wait. I was next to the taxi driver and we chatted a little about life, about Mexico, and secretly about what’s going on and why it kinda feels targeted.
There’s a strong chance that because of the recent waves of migrants entering the United States and Canada, the Trudeau Administration has decided to crack down and increase pressure on immigration to return any suspicious people who might just be trying to sneak in to Canada to seek refuge (which according to international law, is legal, especially when a country like the U.S. is disobeying said laws). The administration isn’t dumb, they know what’s been happening to the Latino community since the Reagan days, and they know that under the MAGA movement the discontent from within the country has increased alarmingly. They know that with their options being exhausted in a depressingly difficult nation like the U.S., the next option would have to be Canada.
It took me several hours, but I finally managed to break through and convinced them to once again ask me the questions and let me prove that I should be allowed to visit Canada.
They finally let me go, but one last jarring image remained. I got my luggage, but passed by dozens of unclaimed baggage, which made me ponder just how many people and families were turned away because of the political climate, because of the post-pandemic dispersion, because of the scary increase in anti-Latino rhetoric. Remember, we’ve literally had MAGA-inspired mass shootings targeting minorities. Its scary times in many regions of the U.S., especially in the border states as they see innocent Latinos as some sort of attempted invasion.
Depressing footage, depressing feeling, all my reminders of how difficult it can be to be a Latino came about in the very beginning of what was supposed to be a nice getaway from the United States shenanigans. Its just sad to see Canada pulled into the mess and them responding the way that they have. It took me two days to recover from the anger, and on that second day I visited one of the most beautiful buildings I’ve ever seen: the Notre Dame Basilica of Montreal.
This church, this basilica, is an architectural work of art, while being stuffed to the Godly ceiling with beautiful religious artwork past and present, from recognizable figures and unknown artists. It functions as an ongoing basilica (weekly mass with working massive organ as well as a place for confession where photography isn’t allowed) while also becoming a tourist destination for Canadians and people from all over the world. Its nestled nicely in the center of the Old Downtown of Montreal (yes, this delightful city technically has TWO downtowns). Easy to find, easy to explore, but you’ll need at least a couple hours to absorb it all.
The edges of the basilica has all kinds of artwork and descriptions of Notre Dame’s history and inception. Not everything is available if you’re not attending the service, as the second floor was understandably unavailable, but you’re not going to notice as the walls and even the ceiling is scattered with amazing art and details. Its all almost overwhelming, just hits close to the heart, and will hit harder especially if you have that strong relationship with God.
Lastly, there’s a specific area of the church that’s completely silent, separated by a thick wall of glass. Once you enter, no noise or photos are allowed, just prayer and a place to contemplate. Full disclosure, I’m not one who prays often anymore, as the religious world in the United States has shown its ugliest colors and damaged my relationship with the powers above. But I felt compelled to pray.
Pray for those actually in need, as opposed to those just scared of the “others.” Pray for those who are actually financially struggling, as opposed to those who are upset that the lower class is trying to move closer towards their 125k salary and trying to pray for the movement’s end. Pray for those who are risking it all for their families and future generations, as opposed to those who are praying for Trump to return to the White House because he is supposedly their actual savior; the savior of a White Christian America that has proven time and time again that they have no space for Black and Brown people to enter their religious atmosphere. I prayed for those who were in the frontlines battling the pandemic, losing their health and their family along the way, as opposed to those who were trying to pray away the necessary and crucial lockdowns.
I prayed for a good five minutes, I prayed for that poor man in Mexico City who just wanted to get away for a little. I prayed for that family of three who was likely on their fourth hour of waiting when I got to leave after becoming increasingly hostile towards the immigration agents. I prayed for a Latino community that has been harshly mistreated for generations from a United States that wouldn’t let any of their nearby neighbors grow and evolve in their own special ways.
It fascinates me how tall and proud this church stands, when the country itself doesn’t seem to want to engage with the religion’s teachings. Canada, the United States, and all the developed nations should be open and inviting to all, not just select people on select times. We have witnessed the end of the world with this pandemic, entire family lines were shattered, entire nations were pushed to the absolute brink like Italy, like Brazil, and of course the U.S. under an administration ill-equipped to handle any kind of adversity. We should be more open, we should be more accepting, and we should be able to provide help to anyone in need as Canada and (ESPECIALLYYYYYYYYYYYYYY) the United States is financially capable to provide such relief. Its so funny how the United States has this core group of conservatives that wants their country to be “Christian,” but never do anything to actually attempt to achieve this.
I felt guilty almost being able to enjoy God’s beauty here, knowing at the same time that taxi driver ended up back in Mexico because the key difference was that I eventually became an American citizen and was able to prove my stable wealth, while he was a Mexican citizen with no chance to prove his right and ability to explore the country without problems. I mostly prayed for that man, and his family back at home. Brought tears to my eyes to see so much mistreatment because of invisible borders and falsified fears created by those profiting off of people’s scared rage. I mostly prayed that this wave of discontent can be eradicated, in any way possible. Every person deserves to visit this church, this beautiful city, this beautiful country, regardless of supposed finances and resources. This great big world has plenty to offer, and it’s a matter of being open to embracing your neighbors near and far and always being willing to lend a helping hand.
The Notre Dame Basilica is an absolute must-visit, especially if you have your religious connections to Catholicism and Christianity. Even if you’re not as connected, from an artistic standpoint it’s a beautiful building with even more beauty inside. It doesn’t cost too much, and its well-worth every penny you spend and donate. An essential staple to Montreal’s foundation and personality, Notre Dame is a benchmark destination and a world-class building that competes globally against the best churches in the entire world. This isn’t some preacher inside a giant room to preach and make money, this basilica is centuries in the making, an ongoing religious process of visually representing God and everything He offers to your soul and your life, whether you embrace the concept or not.
Just always remember that if you do get to visit, there are millions of others around the world who don’t get to have such an opportunity, and always appreciate where you are in life and how blessed you are to see Notre Dame and Montreal.