Catholicism As Living Memory in a Montreal Spiritualist Congregation (Essay‪)‬

Introduction Since 2000 I have been observing a Spiritualist congregation in Montreal, the Spiritual Church of Healing (SCH). (1) The present analysis concerns the enduring presence of Catholic belief and practice in this group, most of whose members are French-speaking native-born Quebecois. Most in this congregation (its official membership is 275) were brought up Catholic. However, they do not see themselves as "converts" from Catholicism to Spiritualism. Moreover, most, even those who have been very active in the SCH for decades as healers and mediums, do not see their religious practice in terms of denominational belonging. A Spiritualist baptism for adults exists, in theory, but no one in the group, including Michel, the pastor, has experienced or witnessed the ritual. Though Spiritualism is a denomination in historical, objectivist terms, it does not function as such for those who attend and contribute their services (as healers and mediums) to the SCH.