Pope Pius X sanctioned St. John the Baptist as the patron saint of the French in North America in 1908, 70 years after his birth date was already an event used as a demonstration of French-Canadian nationalism.
Members of the Saints Peter and Paul Church choir in 1896 on a very elaborate float bearing the banner "Excelsior." In center, a little to the right, is H. F. Roy, the choir director. Behind the organ is Emilie Couturier.