RMR holds annual Church Parade in Westmount

Westmount, Quebec – 06 May 2026: On a cool and sunny Sunday morning, members of The Royal Montreal Regiment (RMR), joined by the RMR Association (Branch 14) and the Regiment’s affiliated cadet corps, marched proudly through the streets of Westmount for the Regiment’s annual church parade to its regimental church, Saint Matthias.

With clear skies overhead and ideal spring weather, the parade offered a sharp contrast to last year’s rain-soaked march. Although no military band was available for this year’s parade, the Regimental Family once again adapted in true RMR fashion. Former RMR Sergeant Nikita Rambarransingh, CD, now an active member of Branch 14, was pressed back into service behind the drum, helping the parade keep perfect time as soldiers, veterans, cadets, and supporters marched to church and back.

As is custom, the Regiment’s colours were carried into Saint Matthias’ for the annual service and re-consecration, continuing a tradition that links today’s soldiers with generations of RMR members who have marched these same streets since after the First World War. The Regiment’s connection with Saint Matthias dates back more than 80-years, with annual church parades a permanent fixture of regimental life.

Inside the church, Reverend Patrick Wheeler, minister of Saint Matthias, warmly welcomed the Regimental Family and graciously invited the RMR’s padre, Captain Rici Be, to deliver the sermon. Together, their leadership reinforced the spiritual and communal bonds that have long defined this annual occasion.

The annual church parade remains far more than a ceremonial march. It is a visible reminder of the enduring relationship between the Regiment, the City of Westmount, and the broader regimental family. It is a day of reflection, remembrance, and renewed commitment to the values of service, honour, and esprit de corps that continue to define the RMR.

Following the service, the Regiment marched back to the Major-General Charles Basil Price Armoury, where the day’s traditions continued with the Battalion Review, annual lease payment to the city, promotions, and the presentation of awards to deserving members.