Celebrating Canada's Catholic History

Matthew Neugebauer

Sunday, May 31, 2026

Canadian flag waving beside an Indigenous woman holding a wooden cross outdoors in a forested setting

The history of the Catholic Church in Canada is one of courage, struggle, and hope. This coming month, we celebrate and remember this history, and the holy men and women who made a profound mark on it.

We invite you to recall the courage of the earliest missionaries: the Jesuits, Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Ukrainian settlers, and many more who braved the frontier to establish the communities, schools, and hospitals that led to the mature Church we have today.

Hear the cry of Indigenous Catholics, whose culture, language, and childhoods were stolen from them in Residential Schools. Walk in the footsteps of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, whose resilient faith has inspired generations of First Nations to trust in God, speak the truth, and seek reconciliation. Travel to Rome with the delegation of elders who invited Pope Francis to offer his historic apology, follow his penitential pilgrimage in our own lands, and hear stories of renewed faith and hope.

Be encouraged by the holiness of Canadian saints who built this Church with determination and creativity, from the tireless efforts of St. François de Laval and St. Marie-Léonie Paradis, to the quiet, miraculous witness of St. André Bessette.

Learn about how Canadian Catholics celebrate this heritage today, especially in Quebec. Our month-long journey culminates with the Nativity of St. John the Baptist on June 24 – the Fête Nationale of La Belle Province – and concludes with the fireworks, family gatherings, and prayers thanking God for this country on July 1.

Stay tuned to Salt + Light TV, Salt + Light Plus, our blog, and our social media accounts throughout June for documentaries, articles, and more. We invite you to reflect on the courage, struggle, and hope of Catholics in Canada.