Liturgy

During the worst years of the Irish Famine migration to British North America, in 1847-8, nearly 1,700 Irish children were orphaned after the deaths of their parents and guardians, at sea, in quarantine stations, in “fever” sheds, and emigrant hospitals. Without a basic state-sponsored social safety net upon which to rely, the colonies heavily depended on the Churches to aid the stricken refugees and take care of the children. The Catholic Church, its clergy, religious, and laypersons, played an indispensable role in caring for these children. While each colony approached the massive influx of Irish Catholics differently, the Church was consistently on the front lines as the principal agent of orphan placement in what, to that time, was Canada’s worst refugee crisis.

A reception will follow.

For more information, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Poster (pdf)