Aug. 26, 2014

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MONTREAL, Quebec - After playing three games in less than 36 hours to start its Canadian tour, the Loyola University Maryland men's basketball team enjoyed a day off from competition on Monday while enjoying many of the sights of Montreal.

In the morning, the Greyhounds visited Saint-Joseph Oratory in the Mount Royal area of Montreal. The largest church in Canada, Saint-Joseph Oratory is a basilica shrine on which construct began in 1904 and was completed in 1967.

A shrine Catholic church and Archdiocese of Montreal, Saint-Joseph was founded by Brother Andre Bessette, C.S.C. Bessette was a significant figure of the church to French-Canadians and was credited with thousands of reported miracles. He was canonized to sainthood by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010.

Following the visit to Saint-Joseph Oratory, the team stopped at nearby Mount Royal Park, a promontory west of downtown Montreal that rises to more than 700 feet above the basin of the city and provides a panoramic view of the city and surrounding area.

The team then traveled to Vieux-Montreal (Old Montreal) to experience the flavors and culture of a European-like district. Set with cobblestone streets and buildings from as early as the 17th century, Old Montreal has a riverwalk, many shops and restaurants.

In the evening, the team gathered for a dinner at a local steakhouse near its base hotel and celebrated a teammate's birthday.

Tuesday will bring the fourth game of the tour as the Greyhounds face McGill University at 7 p.m. in Montreal.