The priest held back tears Thursday when the pontiff stopped at Fraternité Saint-Alphonse, a facility for people struggling with substance use disorders in Beauport, Que., northeast of Quebec City. Earlier that day, the Pope celebrated mass in Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré. “He was smiling. His eyes were shining,” said Morency, who founded the fraternity about 30 years ago. “For me, it’s a big wink from God for the Saint-Alphonse Brotherhood.” Pope Francis spent about 20 minutes at the center, giving gifts, including rosaries and a picture of Mary and Jesus. During the undercover stop, Morency says, a bodyguard introduced him to the Pope. It was then that the pontiff handed him envelopes containing a $20,000 donation to the brotherhood. “He grabs my hand and puts it in my hand. He said, ‘This is for the poor, Father Morenci,’” the priest recalled. Only after the procession left did Morenci realize what was in the envelopes. “We’re still trying not to cry,” she said.

The promise was kept

The priest says the center owes the visit to Quebec Archbishop Gérald Cyprien Lacroix, who promised to bring the pope to the organization if the pontiff ever traveled to Quebec. The Fraternité Saint-Alphonse received this icon of Mary and Jesus as a gift after the visit of Pope Francis. (Louis-Philippe Arsenault/Radio-Canada) When Morency learned that the Pope would be touring Canada, he wrote to the Archbishop of Quebec to remind him of his promise. And the Archbishop kept his word. To ensure that volunteers and residents would be present, Morency invited them to a special dinner to thank them for their involvement in the center. He says the Pope’s surprise visit moved residents, even non-believers. “There were some crying, teary-eyed. His presence in the house may have sparked something in those people,” Morens said. Support is available for anyone affected by their residential school experience or recent reports. A national crisis line for residential schools in India has been set up to provide support to ex-students and those affected. People can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1-866-925-4419. Mental health counseling and crisis support is also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the Hope for Wellness hotline at 1-855-242-3310 or online chat at www.hopeforwellness.ca.