Ignace Bourget Monument, memorial sculpture at Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral, Montreal, Canada
The Ignace Bourget Monument is a sculpture by Louis-Philippe Hébert standing in front of Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral in Montreal. A bas-relief shows Bishop Bourget studying the plans for the cathedral, a replica of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome that he ordered built. Two allegorical statues represent Religion and Charity.
The bishop shaped Montreal from 1840 to 1876 through his influence on the Church and the city's development. The monument was unveiled in 1903 to mark his legacy as a major figure in the city's past.
The monument shows how the Church shaped Montreal's growth and identity through its placement by the cathedral and the way it depicts religious values. The figures representing Religion and Charity tell us how these ideals mattered to the city and its people.
The monument is located on Rue de la Cathédrale and is accessible for visitors with mobility needs. Plan about 15 minutes to examine the sculpture's details carefully.
The monument was paid for by 25,000 dollars raised from both clergy and faithful, not by the city or the diocese alone. Louis-Philippe Hébert, who made the sculptures and bas-reliefs, placed a bas-relief of Bourget studying the plans of the cathedral behind him.
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