A Holy Procession. An Unholy Riot.

In 19^th century Ontario, relations between the majority Protestant, largely Orange, population and the province’s Catholic minority, were sometimes fraught.

In 1875, declared a Jubilee Year by Pope Pius IX, Catholics were told that they could obtain a special Jubilee indulgence. One condition required that they visit a series of churches to pray for certain intentions.

In Toronto, Catholics of the city scheduled a procession for Sunday, October 3. A gathering the previous week had ended in violence. This time, the authorities were taking no chances. A body of cavalry, and companies of the Queen’s Own and the 10^th Royals were called out.

At about 2pm on the third, between 1,500 to 2,000 Catholics assembled at St Paul’s Church and proceeded to St Michael’s Cathedral; up to 8,000 spectators lined the streets on their approach. All was peaceful to this point.

After ten minutes in the cathedral, the pilgrims left for the next church on their route, St Mary’s; stones were thrown, revolvers were fired, rioters attacked police and the police responded. It is said that the Young Britons, an offshoot of the Orange Order, were the instigators. Disturbances continued throughout the day. Quietness resumed only when darkness fell.

While there were no fatalities, many were injured; numerous arrests were made.

Antipathies born an ocean away continued to be played out on a new continent.