A Quebec cathedral is hosting raucous Montreal Canadiens watch parties during the NHL playoffs, attracting hundreds of fans who cheer, pray, and celebrate their team in a unique and spirited atmosphere.

A Sacred Space Transformed

Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu’s St-Jean-l’Évangéliste Cathedral has traded traditional hymns for the fervent chants of hockey fans supporting the Montreal Canadiens. Hundreds of supporters, dressed in the team’s colors, have turned the cathedral into a lively arena of cheers and devotion.

La Cargaison's Innovative Initiative

The initiative is spearheaded by La Cargaison, a nonprofit multimedia organization. They utilize the church as a venue for concerts and light shows, and view the hockey watch parties as a natural extension of the cathedral’s role as a community gathering place.

Ritual and Passion

Marjolaine Quintal, La Cargaison’s director of content and communications, draws parallels between a hockey game and a religious ceremony, highlighting the shared elements of ritual, passion, and collective experience.

A Unique Viewing Experience

A 35-foot screen displays the game, accompanied by energetic DJs and dynamic lighting effects. A fan, known as ‘St-Flanelle,’ leads attendees in playful prayers invoking the spirit of Canadiens legend Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard.

Reviving a Tradition

Isabelle Brulotte, head of the Corporation Monseigneur Forget, explains that watching hockey games in churches isn’t entirely new. Historically, churches served as community hubs due to limited access to televisions or radios. La Cargaison’s initiative is revitalizing this tradition.

Community Engagement

The church even provides Habs-colored candles for fans wishing to offer a prayer for the team. Brulotte emphasizes the church’s commitment to serving the community and engaging younger generations, noting the events have drawn thousands of visitors.

Cultural Significance

Canadiens star Cole Caufield acknowledges the almost religious fervor surrounding hockey in Quebec. Academic Matt Hoven notes the cultural overlap between sports and religion, pointing to the historical embrace of hockey by Francophone priests and the tendency to bestow saint-like status upon beloved players.

The events demonstrate how deeply ingrained hockey is in the cultural fabric of Quebec, transforming a cathedral into a vibrant temple of sporting devotion.