The pews of St-Jean-l'Évangéliste Cathedral in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, have become an unlikely shrine to Montreal hockey passion. Where hymns once echoed, the chant of "Olé! Olé! Olé!" now fills the sacred space as hundreds of blue, white, and red-clad fans pack the sanctuary for raucous playoff watch parties.
Since the NHL playoffs began, the cathedral has played host to sold-out screening events featuring a towering 35-foot projection screen, pumping DJs, and dramatic light shows that transform the historic church walls into a vibrant sports arena. The concept, orchestrated by multimedia nonprofit La Cargaison, has exceeded all expectations.
"People in Quebec and Canada gather together around hockey games — it's almost a religion, so we find it works wonderfully," said Marjolaine Quintal, director of content and communications for La Cargaison.
Ancient Tradition Meets Modern Passion
The marriage of faith and sports isn't entirely unprecedented. Isabelle Brulotte, head of the Corporation Monseigneur Forget, which manages the cathedral, points out that churches historically served as community gathering spaces where residents would listen to hockey broadcasts during an era when few owned personal radios or televisions.
"Churches were the gathering places of their neighbourhoods and cities," Brulotte explained. "People would often go listen to hockey games in churches because they didn't necessarily have the money to buy a TV or a radio."
What's different now is the scale and spectacle. The cathedral has embraced the energy fully, even offering blue, white, and red candles that fans can light while offering prayers for the "Bleu, Blanc et Rouge."
Faith Meets Fandom in Creative Ways
One particularly memorable addition to the watch party experience is David Ouellet, who dresses in ceremonial red garments and calls himself "St-Flanelle" — a playful reference to the Canadiens' iconic jersey and the event's name. Before packed crowds, he performs humorous mock blessings that invoke hockey legends, including the late Maurice "Rocket" Richard.
"Our rocket, who is in heaven, may your talent be shared," Ouellet intones, inviting fans to kneel before him in jest.
"It's to make people laugh," Ouellet said of his caricature. "It's all in good fun."
Attendees embraced the blend of reverence and revelry. Antoine Dubé, standing in line for a recent sold-out event, said he came for the atmosphere and camaraderie. "I'm not a regular churchgoer," he admitted, "but I'll definitely be praying for victory."
Skeptics Give Way to Community Impact
Not everyone has welcomed the concept with open arms. Brulotte acknowledged receiving calls from those who view sports broadcasting in a cathedral as irreverent or inappropriate.
But the numbers speak for themselves. In 2025 alone, 10,000 people have walked through the cathedral doors for non-religious events. Brulotte credits the programming with drawing younger generations into the space — and some have returned for traditional religious services.
"That's quite a lot," she said of the foot traffic. "And some of them ended up coming back for mass."
Quintal draws parallels between the ceremonial nature of hockey and religious observance. "There's ceremony, there's decorum, there's passion, there are turnarounds, and they're places to gather as well," she said, describing both experiences in remarkably similar terms.
For now, the cathedral remains a beacon for sports fans seeking community connection, proving that the hunger for gathering spaces — whether spiritual or recreational — transcends traditional boundaries.
This story was originally reported by Global News and adapted for WestNet News.