Celebrating
Victoria
Day is a National Canadian holiday celebrated on the Monday before 25 May. It
celebrates the birthday of Queen Victoria (1837-1901). Historically a
special relationship developed between the Canadian People and Queen Victoria
and it was in Victoria’s reign that Canada was created and established its
distinct identity.
Victoria played
an active role in Canada’s development. For instance, she chose Ottawa as the
new capital – the Westminster of the Wilderness, and named British Columbia,
and she personally encouraged Confederation in 1867. But she was also the
symbolic focus of Canadian unity. Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada’s Father of
Confederation, said that the purpose of Confederation “was to declare in the
most solemn and emphatic manner [Canadians'] resolve to be under the
sovereignty of [Queen Victoria] and [her] family forever”. Victoria was truly
the Mother of Confederation.
Victoria Day also
became
for Canadians synonymous with summer weather and certain social customs
developed around the day. One did not wear white before Victoria Day, gardens
were not planted until the Victoria Day weekend and summer cottages were not
opened until this weekend. After a long winter, the short Canadian summer is so
looked forward to by Canadians that the holiday gained added significance in
their lives.
Happy summer this
Victoria Day - especially to our two Canadian Cluny Sisters missioned in Port
au Prince, Haiti and the Cluny Generalate in Paris, France.
Today we have
three Portuguese and American Canadian Sisters living and serving in
Hamilton.
Maria Rocha,
Regina Brunelle
Maria do Ceu
Happy
Victoria Day!
Great picture Sisters! Hope your Victoria Day Week-end was full of fun and Sunshine!
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