Québec’s national holiday—
La Saint-Jean-Baptiste
By Robert Rozon
Origins of Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day
The celebration has its roots in summer solstice festivities, a pagan tradition that involved lighting bonfires to mark the longest day of the year.
The Saint-Jean fire tradition arrived in New France in 1646, and in 1694, Bishop Saint-Vallier declared it a day of religious observance. By 1834, the celebration had evolved into a political expression, a meaning it continues to carry today.
On March 8, 1834, Ludger Duvernay, alongside George-Étienne Cartier, a law student, and Louis -Victor Sicotte, founded the society “Aide-toi et le ciel t’aidera” (Help Yourself and Heaven Will Help You). Their mission was to give French Canadians their own national holiday, inspired by the Irish community in Montreal, who had been organizing Saint Patrick’s Day parades since 1824.
On June 24, 1834, Duvernay hosted a Saint-JeanBaptiste banquet at the home of John MacDonnell, a local lawyer. Among the sixty or so attendees were Louis-Hippolyte LaFontaine, George-Étienne Cartier, Montreal’s mayor Jacques Viger, and Dr. Edmond O’Callaghan.
During the evening, toasts were raised to the 92 Resolutions, to the United States, to reformists in Lower and Upper Canada, and to Irish revolutionaries. The press encouraged the public to celebrate the holiday the following year and many villages did.
Evolution of the Celebration
Following the 1837–1838 Rebellions, Duvernay and many other patriots were forced into exile. When he returned in 1842, Duvernay quickly revived the tradition, emphasizing that French Canadians must remain united. On June 9, 1843, the Saint-JeanBaptiste Association of Montreal organized the first official parade.
In its early days, the celebration included banquets, religious services, and the distribution of blessed bread.
Saint-Jean-Baptiste parade in Saint-Lazare in 2009 (collection Brigitte Asselin)
Saint-Jean-Baptiste parade in Saint-Lazare in 2009 (collection Brigitte Asselin)
Over time, various professional organizations lawyers, doctors, tradespeople, and students joined the festivities. Homes and storefronts were decorated with symbols of the Saint-JeanBaptiste Society, such as the maple leaf and beaver.
At the 1835 banquet, George-Étienne Cartier’s song Ô Canada, mon pays, mes amours was performed for the first time. Another song, Vive la Canadienne, also became a national anthem of sorts. In 1880, in Québec City, Ô Canada was performed for the first time. It would later become the official national anthem of Canada in 1980.
Official Recognition and Cultural Importance
In 1925, Québec’s Legislative Assembly declared Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day an official public holiday. In 1947, Québec’s Saint-Jean-Baptiste societies formed a federation to campaign for the adoption of an official provincial flag. On January 21, 1948, the fleurdelisé became Québec’s official flag and soon a powerful symbol for the celebration.
since become a beloved Québec anthem.
Today, more than 750 events are organized each year across the province, involving over 20,000 volunteers, 1,050 performances, and 360 bonfires.
Saint
-Jean in Saint-Lazare
In Saint-Lazare, Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day has long been a highlight of the year. The town has hosted parades, fireworks, family activities, bonfires, and community events at Bédard Park. For many years, Bar Chez Maurice, located on Sainte-Angélique Road, was known for its legendary Saint-Jean shows, with cars parked all the way to the Blais Garage.
Time passes, but the spirit of the celebration remains strong in Saint-Lazare a vibrant tribute to the culture, pride, and unity of Québec.
Saint-Jean-Baptiste parade in Saint-Lazare in 2009 (collection Brigitte Asselin)
In the 1960s and 1970s, the Saint-Jean celebration shifted away from its religious roots, becoming more cultural, artistic, and inclusive. Artists and politicians began to play central roles in parades and events. In 1975, Gilles Vigneault first performed Gens du pays, a song that has
Saint-Lazare’s centennial in 1975
By Anick Chevrier
I would like to acknowledge the dedication of local volunteers who, from past to present, have contributed to the celebrations of Saint-Lazare’s major anniversaries. I also extend my thanks to all those who continue to devote their time and energy to civic and community life, helping to maintain the vibrancy of our living environment. Since 1875, many generations of volunteers have helped make Saint-Lazare a great place to live, where our history is proudly celebrated.
In 1875, Saint-Lazare became an independent parish, no longer part of the Vaudreuil Seigneury. Since then, the town
has marked several major milestones: its centennial in 1975, its 125th anniversary in 2000, and now, in 2025, it celebrates its 150th!
For each of these occasions, committed citizens formed dynamic committees to organize rich and inclusive programming for the entire community.
Here is an overview of these committees and a look back at the key events held for the centennial in 1975 and the 125th anniversary in 2000.
In 2025, Saint-Lazare celebrates its 150th birthday! The festivities, which began in fall 2024, will continue throughout the year. I look forward to sharing a retrospective of this vibrant, innovative, and emotionally rich program in a future publication.
The 1975 Centennial: A Memorable Milestone
In 1975, Saint-Lazare officially adopted its coat of arms and motto.
Mr. Robert Rozon was the driving force behind the creation of the coat of arms and the author of Saint-Lazare’s motto: “Patience will triumph.”
Mr. Rozon and the Town were supported by Heraldic House of Montreal, a firm that assisted in the design and official registration of the coat of arms with government authorities. The firm also created a carved oak plaque featuring the coat of arms, which was presented to the municipality.
A detailed description of the coat of arms was featured in the most recent edition of the town’s magazine, published in December 2024.
Highlights of the Centennial Celebrations
Here are some of the standout events from the 1975 celebrations:
• September 27, 1975: Opening day of the centennial festivities.
A centennial mass, followed by an official reception to unveil the new coat of arms and motto, along with the launch of the centennial book the first publication about the history of our parish. All copies have since been sold and are no longer available, but a copy can be viewed at the Saint-Lazare public library or read in digital format on the Town’s website under
Robert Rozon and then mayor Roland Bédard during the unveiling of the city’s official coat of arms.
Recreation, Sports and Culture in the Books about Saint-Lazare” section.
• Participation in the popular TV show “La soirée canadienne”, hosted by Mr. Louis Bilodeau, filmed in October 1975 at the Télé-7 studios in Sherbrooke.
The game of the Century, a friendly hockey game between players from Saint-Lazare and the Montreal Canadiens’ Alumni team in November 1975.
Summer 1976: SaintLazare is welcomed by the Montreal Expos at Jarry Park.
Carter Carter, star player for the Montreal Expos and city councillors Jean Montpellier and Laurent Chevrier
Many citizens took part in this memorable outing. Several full buses transported residents to attend an Expos game. Before the game, the Expos organization offered a warm welcome and acknowledged the presence of the people of Saint-Lazare. A formal moment was held, where star players met with our representatives and paid tribute to our centennial. It was truly a memorable event.
With humility, I believe that for the time in 1975, when our parish had not yet reached a population of 10,000 and with limited resources, but thanks to the active involvement of elected officials and dedicated volunteers, the centennial celebrations were both innovative and highly successful. They brought great visibility and recognition to our village and community. Most importantly, the varied and bold programming brought people together, with citizens of all ages taking part!
Official faceoff with mayor Bernard Charlebois and Aurélien Poirier
Maurice Richard, who was referee for the game with Germain Martel
A contest was launched among the schoolchildren of Saint-Lazare to create the official logo for the town’s 125th anniversary. The winning design came from 10-year-old Marie-Christine Marineau, a young student from Auclair Elementary School.
The Chevrier family
By Donald Simpson
Founding family of Saint-Lazare
At the time of the founding of Saint-Lazare in 1875, several families had already been established there for about 100 years! The concession of Côte SaintLouis was opened in 1774 and that of Côte SaintCharles in 1811.
In this section, I present to you one of these founding families, the Chevrier’s.
The first Chevrier
In 1760, just before the English conquest, Joseph Chevrier was the first in his family to settle in New France.
Joseph Chevrier, dit Lajeunesse, was born around 1730 in Bugey in the Rhône Alpes region of France. He is the son of Jean Baptiste Chevrier and Françoise Deland. He arrived in New France around 1760, and he was a farmer.
On February 2, 1761, he married Madelaine Cholette dit Laviolette in the parish of St-Joachim de Pointe-Claire. This couple is the origin of all the Chevrier in America. He will marry Louise Chamelot in his second marriage on January 7, 1812, in the parish of St-Joseph de Soulanges in Les Cèdres.
Joseph Chevrier will pass away on May 3, 1813, and will be buried in St-Michel de Vaudreuil. Madelaine Cholette will pass away on December 22, 1810, and will be buried in St-Michel de Vaudreuil.
This couple already lived in the seigneury of Vaudreuil.
They had at least 6 children: Marie Marguerite, Joseph, André, François, Antoine, and Charles. The first three are baptized in SteAnne de Bellevue, Francois in St-Joseph de Soulanges, and the last two in Oka. It is mentioned during the baptisms of the last two that the parents are from Vaudreuil. It is to be noted that the St. Michel Church of Vaudreuil opened in 1773, and therefore before this date, baptisms were held at St. Joseph de Soulanges or elsewhere.
2nd generation
André and Charles Chevrier remain in the Vaudreuil region and will be the ancestors of the Chevrier family of Saint-Lazare.
1- André was born on February 20, 1766, in the parish of Ste-Anne de Bellevue. He will marry Hippolyte Gauthier on January 10, 1791, in St-Michel de Vaudreuil. The couple will have at least 9 children: André, Joseph, Marie Rose, Hippolyte, Véronique, Antoine, Marie-Louise, Charles, and François.
André acquires the land 5 North of Côte StLouis on February 22, 1806.
André will pass away on May 27, 1854, and will be buried in St-Michel de Vaudreuil. His wife Hippolyte will pass away on September 24, 1836, and will be buried in St-Michel de Vaudreuil.
2- Charles was born on November 27, 1772, and will be baptized in Oka. He will marry Geneviève Pharand on February 25, 1794, in the parish of St. Michel de Vaudreuil.
He will marry Angélique Dumesnil in his second marriage on July 30, 1810, at the StJoseph parish in Soulanges in Les Cèdres. Charles will have at least 10 children (4 with Geneviève and 6 with Angélique): Geneviève, Charles, Joseph, Antoine, Marie-Rose, François -Xavier, Paul, Felix, Julien, and Cyprien.
Charles acquires the land 25 North of côte Saint-Louis.
Charles will pass away on November 14, 1870, and will be buried in St-Joseph de Soulanges. His first wife Geneviève will pass away on February 22, 1810, and will be buried in StJoseph de Soulanges. His second wife Angélique will pass away on May 25, 1876, and will be buried in St-Joseph de Soulanges.
3rd generation
André, Joseph, Charles, and Francois, as well as Antoine and Cyprien, will remain in the region.
1- André was born on June 24, 1792, in StMichel de Vaudreuil. He will marry Euphrosine Pilon on February 7, 1814, in St-Michel de Vaudreuil. The couple will have at least 8 children: Rose, André, Denise, Edouard, Eucher, Angèle, Felix, and Alfred.
André will pass away on July 26, 1870, and will be buried in St-Michel de Vaudreuil. His wife Euphrosine will pass away on October 12, 1869, and will be buried in St-Michel de Vaudreuil.
On the 1854 cadastral map, André can be found on Côte Saint-Louis.
2- Joseph was born on June 24, 1792, in StMichel de Vaudreuil. He will marry Théotiste Dumont on November 19, 1827, in St-Michel de Vaudreuil. He will then marry Emérentienne Leduc in his second marriage on October 3, 1831, in St-Michel de Vaudreuil. Joseph will have at least 11 children (1 from Théotiste and 10 from Emérentienne): Edmire, Théotiste, Joseph, Francois, Elizabeth, Charles, Philomène, Izaide, Marie, Jean Baptiste, and David-Ovide.
Joseph will pass away on January 10, 1890, and will be buried in St-Lazare. His first wife Théotiste will pass away on March 13, 1831, and will be buried in St-Michel de Vaudreuil. His second wife Emérentienne will pass away on September 12, 1897, and will be buried in St-Lazare.
Joseph was a veteran of the War of 1812.
On the 1854 land registry, Joseph can be found on côte Saint-Louis.
*** Joseph and Emérentienne are therefore a founding family of St-Lazare. ***
3- Charles was born on December 29, 1811, in St-Michel de Vaudreuil. He will marry Amable Charlebois on January 31, 1837, in St-Michel de Vaudreuil. The couple will have at least 4 children: Joseph, Celima, Adrien, and Josephine.
Charles will pass away on May 23, 1884, and will be buried in St-Lazare. His wife Amable will pass away on April 9, 1902, and will be buried in St-Lazare.
*** Charles and Amable are therefore a founding family of St-Lazare. ***
4- Francois was born on January 28, 1816, in St-Michel de Vaudreuil. He will marry Marcelline Vinet on July 5, 1836, in St-Michel de Vaudreuil. The couple will have at least 7 children: Delphis, Adèle, Alphonsine, Louise, Joseph, Adelina-Anna, and Cordélia.
François will pass away on April 5, 1893, and will be buried in St-Michel de Vaudreuil. His wife Marcelline will pass away on June 18, 1892, and will be buried in St-Michel de Vaudreuil.
On the 1854 land registry, Francois can be found on côte Saint-François (above Cavagnol).
5- Antoine was born on November 21, 1803, in St-Joseph de Soulanges. He will marry Marie Sauvé on August 7, 1827, in St-Joseph de Soulanges. The couple will have at least 6 children: Antoine, Émérence, Bruno, Julie, Onésime, and Joseph-Edmond (future councilor and mayor of St-Lazare).
Antoine will pass away on March 19, 1881, and will be buried in St-Lazare; Marie will pass away on September 9, 1887, and will be buried in St-Lazare.
On the 1854 land registry, Antoine can be found on côte Saint-Louis.
4th generation
*** Antoine and Marie are therefore a founding family of St-Lazare. ***
Edouard, Alfred, Joseph, Francois, JeanBaptiste, Joseph, Adrien, Delphis, and Charles will reside in the territory of St-Lazare and will therefore also be members of the founding families of Saint-Lazare.
1- Edouard was born on August 24, 1820, in St-Michel de Vaudreuil. He will marry Adelaïde Paiement on October 25, 1847, in StMichel de Vaudreuil. The couple will have at least 6 children: Edouard, François-Xavier, Victorine, Alfred, Dolphis, and Jean-Baptiste.
Edouard will pass away on December 11, 1902, and will be buried in St-Lazare. His wife Adelaïde will pass away on April 29, 1912, and will be buried in St-Lazare.
6- Cyprien was born on June 7, 1826, in StJoseph de Soulanges. He will marry Christine Veronneau on February 20, 1854, in Saint-Clet. The couple will have at least 8 children: Charles, Hermine, Adélard, Cordélia, Joseph, Indiana, Dieudonné, and Louise.
Cyprien will pass away on February 24, 1904, in St-Isidore de Prescott. Christine will pass away on June 13, 1902, in St-Isidore de Prescott.
*** Cyprien and Christine are founding family of St-Lazare. ***
*** Edouard and Adelaïde are therefore a founding family of St-Lazare. ***
2- Alfred was born on June 27, 1834, in StMichel de Vaudreuil. He will marry Louise Legault on February 25, 1873, in St-Michel de Vaudreuil. The couple will have at least 3 children: Adolphe, Joseph, and Josephine.
Alfred will pass away on September 25, 1900, and will be buried in St-Lazare. His wife Louise will pass away on January 2, 1922, and will be buried in St-Lazare.
*** Alfred and Louise are therefore a founding family of St-Lazare. ***
3- Joseph was born on March 4, 1835, in StMichel de Vaudreuil. He will marry Marie Josephte Dupont on November 5, 1855, in StJoseph de Soulanges. The couple will have at least 2 children: Émérence and Josephine.
Joseph will pass away on December 28, 1891, and will be buried in St-Lazare. His wife Marie Josephte will pass away on March 30, 1914, and will be buried in St-Lazare.
5- Charles was born on April 4, 1840, in StMichel de Vaudreuil. He will marry Angélique Séguin on October 15, 1861, in St-Joseph de Soulanges. The couple will have at least 6 children: Angélique, Odile, Merence, Thomas, Albertine, and Antoine.
Charles will pass away in 1919 and will be buried in St-Lazare. Angélique will pass away on September 18, 1899, and will be buried in StLazare.
*** Charles and Angélique are therefore a founding family of St-Lazare. ***
*** Joseph and Marie Josephte are therefore a founding family of St-Lazare. ***
4- Francois was born on September 5, 1836, in St-Joseph de Soulanges. He will marry Victoire Mathilde Dupont on February 23, 1857, in St-Joseph de Soulanges. The couple will have at least 6 children: Mathilde, Olivier, François-Xavier, Marie-Louise, Paul-François, and Jean-Baptiste.
Francois will pass away on August 19, 1919, and will be buried at St-Lazare. His wife Victoire-Mathilde will pass away on February 15, 1923, and will be buried in St-Lazare.
*** Francois and Victoire-Mathilde are therefore a founding family of St-Lazare. ***
6- Jean-Baptiste was born on January 12, 1851, in St-Michel de Vaudreuil. He will marry Denise Menard on February 24, 1873, in St-Michel de Vaudreuil. The couple will have at least 5 children: Alexina, David-Jean, Marie-Louise, Denise Oliva, and Adèle.
Jean-Baptiste will pass away on March 7, 1930, in St-Isidore de Prescott, Ontario. Denise will pass away on May 9, 1941, in St-Isidore de Prescott, Ontario.
*** Jean-Baptiste and Denise are founding members of St-Lazare. ***
7- Joseph was born on October 28, 1845, in StJoseph de Soulanges. He will marry Julie Gareau on April 13, 1874, in St-Michel de Vaudreuil. The couple will have at least 5 children: Ovide, Alderic, Joseph, Adéodat, and Joseph-Ovila.
Joseph will pass away on July 19, 1912, and will be buried in St-Lazare. His wife Julie will pass away on January 3, 1919, and will be buried in St-Lazare.
*** Joseph and Julie are therefore a founding family of St-Lazare. ***
8-Adrien was born in July 1851. He will marry Malvina Gareau on September 7, 1871, in StMichel de Vaudreuil. He will marry Alphonsine Cousineau in his second marriage on January 15, 1894, in St-Lazare. Adrien will have at least 5 children (2 from Malvina and 3 from Alphonsine): Adrien, Esdras, Eulalie, Eugene, and Jeanne.
Adrien will pass away on February 4, 1912, and will be buried in St-Lazare. His first wife Malvina will pass away on March 21, 1886, and will be buried in St-Lazare.
*** Adrien and Malvina are therefore a founding family of St-Lazare. ***
9-Delphis was born on October 21, 1839, in St-Michel de Vaudreuil. He will marry Rose Ménard on February 24, 1862, in St-Michel de Vaudreuil. The couple will have at least 8 children: Adolphe, Hilaire, Rosina, Oliva, Remi, Ovide, Melina-Azilda, and Adeline.
Delphis will pass away on August 17, 1917, and will be buried in St-Lazare. His wife Rose will pass away on April 21, 1932, and will be buried in St-Lazare.
*** Delphis and Rose are therefore a founding family of St-Lazare. ***
Saint-Lazare residents working on the construction of the Canal de Soulanges : Jean-Baptiste Larocque (supervisor), Paul Chevrier, Jean-Baptiste Chevrier, Jos Saint-Denis, Antoine Chevrier, Désirée Couturier, Hormidas Ménard, Dosithée Ménard, Ovila Castonguay and Jos Robillard. (Collection de Gérard Chevrier)
