Saint-Joseph-de-Soulanges Catholic church interior, Les Cèdres, 2009

The sanctuary’s decoration confirms that the church is dedicated to the education and protection of the parish’s young men. Indeed, other than saint Joseph, Jesus’ father, we can see saint Louis de Gonzague, Jesuit patron of youth, saint Antoine de Padoue, franciscan and orator, saint John the Baptist, the spiritual guide, saint Peter, friend and apostle, saint Francis Xavier, Jesuit patron of travelers, and saint François d’Assise, the preacher.

The presence of saint François Xavier and saint Antoine de Padoue is voluntary in the context of the construction of the third church. As well as being educators, both these characters are closely tied to the maritime world. Saint François Xavier is the patron of travelers and saint Antoine de Padoue is patron of sailors and the shipwrecked. The devotion to this particular saint has grown over the years to become the patron of all lost objects.