Even bishops need a holiday!

Photographs Special Collection, PH09G/13P

Visiting Cardinals from Sydney and Westminster enjoy a glacial walk in Lake Louise, Alberta, as part of their Canadian Tour, 1947.

Summer is a great time for travel within our epically beautiful country. The opportunity to cross Western Canada by train is a hard one to resist - even for some hard-working bishops.

In August 1947, their Eminences Norman Cardinal Gilroy, Archbishop of Sydney, Australia, and Bernard Cardinal Griffin, Archbishop of Westminster, England, honoured Canada with a visit. They travelled by C.P.R. to Vancouver, Lake Louise, Banff, Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, and Winnipeg before leaving for events in Toronto.

Along the way, local clergy joined the the party to serve as guides and for photo ops, of course. Our own Cardinal McGuigan accompanied the visitors from Vancouver to Toronto.

In making preparations for these esteemed guests, Cardinal McGuigan wrote to the various host bishops: "It is the wish of the Cardinals to make this something of a holiday and to avoid all ceremonial except when perhaps it might seem natural, as on Sunday."

We wish you all happy and safe summer travels that don't stand on ceremony!

Photographs Special Collection, PH09G/15P

Bernard Cardinal Griffin, Archbishop of Westminster, England, poses with some hoofed friends.

Photographs Special Collection, PH09G/11P

Their Eminences Bernard Cardinal Griffin, Archbishop of Westminster, England, and Norman Cardinal Gilroy, Archbishop of Sydney, Australia at Lake Louise

Photographs Special Collection, PH09G/08P

Labelled: At the Great Divide 5630' - Bishop Carroll at Western Boundary of his diocese

Left to right: Archbishop of Calgary Francis Carroll; Cardinal Griffin; Archbishop of Toronto James Cardinal McGuigan; Cardinal Gilroy; Bishop of Kamloops Edward Jennings

Photographs Special Collection, PH09G/14P

Cardinal McGuigan Fonds, MGFA13.71(a)

August 1, 1947: Cardinal McGuigan sent this letter to all the local bishops whose dioceses they would be passing through, outlining the visitors' itinerary. He notes that,
 It is the wish of the Cardinals to make this something of a holiday and to avoid all ceremonial except when perhaps it might seem natural, as on Sunday.