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Symbol
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Since 1875, the Carmelites of the Most Pure Heart of Mary Province have been responsible for Our Lady of Peace Parish Church located on the bluff above Canadian part of the Falls of Niagara. The church was originally built in the late 1700’s to commemorate the first Mass celebrated at the falls by the explorer Fr. Louis Hennepin on December 11, 1678. During the years of the growing controversy over slavery in the USA, the Niagara Peninsula became a haven of freedom as one of the favored destination points for the “Underground Railroad”—the secret network of safe houses and favored routes for escaped slaves to flee to Canada. As tensions mounted south of the border, Bishop John Joseph Lynch of Toronto requested of Pope Pius IX that St. Edward’s be elevated to the title and dignity of a Pilgrimage Sanctuary which would be called “Our Lady of Peace.” This new title was due to the location of the Church “by the sight of the beautiful rainbow that spans the cataract” the sign of peace, between God and sinner” A papal decree, dated March 1, 1861, granted this request and on Sunday, August 12, 1861, Bishop Lynch reconsecrated the Church under its present name. As it proudly overlooks Niagara Falls, Our Lady of Peace Shrine stands as a symbol of international peace and friendship for the many pilgrims from all nations who continue to visit it. (Based on an historical plaque of the Roman Catholic Diocese of St. Catherines, 1987.) Web site: www.carmelniagara.com/olp.htm |
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