Catholic Youth's Convention Of 100 Marriages, Montreal (1939 Original Colored Film)

Step back in time to 1939 with this captivating colored silent film produced by the Jeunesse ouvrière catholique (Working Catholic Youth) in Quebec. The film documents the Congrès des cent mariages (Convention of 100 Marriages) during the Second National Congress of the organization. Modeled after the global Catholic movement, Jeunesse ouvrière chrétienne (Young Christian Workers), the Canadian group aimed to address social issues facing working-class youth. Led by Archbishop Georges Gauthier and Father Henri Roy, the movement gained popularity in Quebec during the Great Depression. The film showcases the group's efforts to combat the declining marriage rate by organizing 106 outdoor weddings in Montreal's Delorimier Stadium, attracting 25,000 attendees. However, with the outbreak of World War II, the JOC's influence waned as members joined the war effort. Despite this, the event sparked the creation of Marriage Preparation Courses, leaving a lasting legacy on social and religious engagement.

Source :
Young Christian Workers Creator. (1939) Working Catholic Youth's Second National Congress and Convention of 100 Marriages, Montreal. [Quebec: publisher not identified] [Video] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2021671093