How can I visit a church in Canada?

Question

I have recently moved to Canada from Europe. In Europe the churches are always open and you can go in and visit them on your own time. Here, I find the doors are always closed. How can I visit and spend time in a church like I used to in Europe? I am not religious, but spiritual (and considered Catholic), and would not want to attend mass with others. I would like to spend some time in a church alone. How do churches work in Canada?

Sorry I forgot to mention, I live in Ottawa, Ontario

Answer 1

what city are you in now?
They used to allow that but people would often times steal the gold and brass decor.

You are free in most cases to just walk into a church and pray or take part in the service no problem.

In Toronto there is St-Micheals downtown, it's open to prayer most of the time during the day.

In Montreal there is St-Joseph's Oratory which is also open often and is a wonderful place to pray. Whevnever I get a chance to go there my prayers are always answered. Truly.

Write back and let me know where you are and I will try to help you. I was raised a Catholic but consider myself more a spiritual person too.

Answer 2

I don't know about Canada but in the U.S. The churches are open in the day time, M-F. Not usually on Saturday unless there is something going on. They lock them up at night so people will not come in and steal and do damage. I expect that in larger cities they may not even be that open. Also in Europe I think many of them are also tourist attractions and that is why they are open. Also if you came in during the times that they are open and people did not know you they might wonder who you were and why you were there unless it is a very large parish. Why don't you just attend Mass. You don't have to recieve, you know.

Answer 3

Actually, I've noticed that larger Anglican and Roman Catholic churches tend to be open. (I'm especially thinking of the cathedrals in downtown Toronto). You are right, though, that most other denominations' churches are closed except when something specific is going on. I have always disliked this.

Other than check blindly to see if doors are locked, the best thing to do is talk to a priest or parishioner at the church you are interested in, and see how things work there.

Answer 4

You will probably need to wait until they have services. If you are more spiritual then religious why not make your own altar like we pagans do, only use it your way? Works for us solitary Wicca practitioners.

You could pick a spot in your house or apartment and buy statues of Mary and Jesus on the cross and candles and decorate it the way you like and sit and meditate and pray there, It would be just a spiritual as going to a church building. This is only meant as a suggestion if you cannot find a church building to visit.

Answer 5

U could ask the desk at the church during mass hour. I don't know what part of Canada ur talking about but the churchs are open on sunday at 8:00 am, 9:15am, 12:00 pm & 6:00pm.

Answer 6

Some have their doors open quite often for morning prayer, etc. and not as a whole. You will have to do some checking to see which ones though. It is a shame that the world has come to such a level that even a church isn't sacred and can't leave their doors open all the time becaue of theives.
God be with You.....

Answer 7

There are several nice, small, churches of varying denominations in my hometown. I'm sure one of them you might like. Most of them still don't lock their doors. You can always visit. Email me for locations and in the meantime I'll see if they have any websites or anything.

The congregations are small-ish, probably a hundred or so in each curch, yet new people and strangers show up all the time so you wouldn't seem out-of-place.

Answer 8

Call the rectories and ask. I think most priests would be agreeable to letting you go inside.

Answer 9

I am sure each works differently. Call the priest at one and ask him how they work.

Answer 10

just walk in