A Brief History of the Mount Royal Cross
The Mount Royal Cross was first erected in 1924 following a fundraising campaign organized by the St. Jean Baptiste Society. The cross is designed to commemorate the gesture of Paul Chomedey, sieur de Maisonneuve, who first erected a wooden cross on the same location in 1643.

The metallic structure measures 102 feet high by 30 feet wide. The construction was partially financed by contributions from the community, specifically through the sale of commemorative stamps with a rendering of the Mount Royal Cross by some 85,000 students.

The City of Montréal has always ensured the maintenance of the Cross, although it was owned by the St. Jean Baptiste Society until June 2004, at which point the Society transferred ownership over to the City.

Lighting of the Cross
For its first illumination in 1924, 240 50-watt bulbs were needed, 120 bulbs on each face of the Cross. However, in 1959, another lighting system was installed using 249 incandescent bulbs (one bulb fewer on one side to make room for a ladder). Up to this date, the bulbs were replaced by hand.

Thirty years later, in the early 1990s, the Cross’ lighting system was converted to fibre-optic technology. Thirty-two projectors send light to hundreds of optic fibres that converge in the shape of a half-circle, producing the illusion of a light-bulb. 156 of these half-circles are reproduced.

The colour of the lights on the Cross change occasionally to mark significant events and are achieved through the use of coloured filters placed before the 32 projectors (blue, red and purple). Currently, these coloured filters must be placed by a technician on the Cross to achieve the desired effect.

Symbolism of the Cross
The Mount Royal Cross is an historic and religious symbol. It commemorates the founding of the city by Jacques Cartier and to some, the lights resemble prayer beads.

The Archdiocese of Montreal indicates that purple is the colour of mourning in liturgy.

A Chronology of the Mount Royal Cross
December 24, 1924: The Cross is illuminated for the first time. The electricity was supplied for free by Montreal Light, Heat and Power.
1936: The lights are turned purple to announce the death of King Georges V.
During World War II: To save energy, the bulbs are lit on a single side of the Cross.
1958: The lights are turned purple for the second time to announce the death of Pope Pie XII.
1960: The lights are turned yellow to celebrate the Great Mission, an event organized by the Diocese of Montreal.
1975: The lights are turned blue during the St. Jean celebrations on Mount Royal.
1978: The lights are turned purple to announce the death of Pope Paul VI.
1978: The lights are again turned purple to announce the death of Pope John Paul I.
During the 1980s: The lights are turned red during a march against AIDS.
2005: The lights are turned purple to announce the death of Pope John Paul II.