First Catholic Bishop of Toronto, Michael Power and his devotion to the poor and sick
Quiet Reflection at St. Michael’s Cathedral
After my quiet reflection today in the main sanctuary of St. Michael’s Cathedral in downtown Toronto, I proceeded to the lower level beneath the sanctuary, where I discovered a small, intimate chapel and a crypt. There, I came upon the resting place of Bishop Michael Power—Halifax, Nova Scotia–born and the first Bishop of Toronto—who faithfully oversaw and guided the building of this very cathedral, completed in 1848.
In January 1847, Bishop Power left on a six-month visit to Europe, seeking to raise funds for the construction of his cathedral. While in Ireland, he arranged for the Sisters of Loreto to establish a mission in Toronto. They were called to serve the needs of the growing Irish Catholic population—offering comfort to the poor and the sick, and establishing Catholic education through institutions such as Loretto College School and later Loretto Abbey.
Below Left: Loretto students sitting on the stairs of Loretto Brunswick, 1963; Right: Loretto Students hanging out at the school doors, 1922.
During his time abroad, Bishop Power witnessed firsthand the devastation of the Great Famine, which was driving unprecedented numbers of Irish to emigrate. It was that very wave of emigration—and the many who arrived sick—that would eventually claim his life. He contracted typhus while administering the Last Sacraments to victims of the disease, and succumbed to it on October 1, 1847, at only 42 years of age.
1804-1847
After my visit to St. Michael’s Cathedral, I went a few kilometres southeast and arrived at St. Paul’s Church established in 1822 and the first Catholic church in Toronto. Bishop Michael Power used St. Paul’s as his cathedral until the completion of the construction of St. Michael’s Cathedral in 1848. In 1847, a typhus epidemic raged through the city, killing 850 people, including Bishop Power. Many were buried on the grounds of St. Paul’s Church and later moved to St. Michael’s Cemetery near Yonge and St.Clair in midtown Toronto while Bishop Power was interred in the church he founded.
Plaque dedicated to victims and Bishop Michael Power, St. Paul’s Church.
Bishop Michael Power’s parents were William Power and Mary Jane (nee White) who were both Irish immigrants from the County Waterford that settled in Halifax, Nova Scotia. William Power was a sea captain.
I recently visited Holy Cross Cemetery just outside of Toronto and spent some time in the Priest Section. Although Bishop Michael Power is buried at St. Michael’s Cathedral, there is a memorial plaque dedicated to him there. As you can see in the photo, many visitors have placed their fingers on his image while seeking blessings, and over the years the photo has become noticeably worn from this quiet devotion.
See my visit to St. Peter ‘s Basilica, The Vatican.
St. Peter buried under the main altar (Altar of the Confession) in St. Peter’s Basilica
