The theatrical production Beauty Will Save the World was born of a concern deeply rooted in our time: a widespread loss of hope, felt most acutely by young people facing the weight of global conflict, environmental crisis, the erosion of moral and spiritual reference points, and a growing sense of meaninglessness. The project took shape following a formative encounter between its creator, Jacques Béland, and the Rector of St. Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal, who voiced this shared pastoral and human concern.

Rather than turning away from these realities, the production chooses to engage them directly. It invites audiences to move beyond fragile hopes that so often disappoint, and toward a renewed hope—one grounded in the figure of St. Joseph and in the witness of Brother André. Their spiritual journey becomes an invitation to see the world differently: to recognize God already at work in our midst, and to become attentive to that presence.

The central character of the production embodies one of the defining wounds of our era: eco-anxiety. Through him, the anguish of a generation uncertain about its future finds expression. He carries this collective distress not as a final destination, but as a passage. While acknowledging the legitimate role of psychological support, the production affirms that profound healing cannot come from human solutions alone. True transformation and peace emerge through openness to a higher spiritual reality.

The selection of St. Joseph’s Oratory as the venue carries deep symbolic weight. It is intimately connected to Béland’s personal story: even before his birth, his mother entrusted him to Brother André. Having staged previous productions at the Oratory, he now views this return as a spiritual threshold—entering through the door once guarded by Brother André, the Oratory’s porter, to be led toward Saint Joseph.

A Grand Artistic Tableau
The production unfolds as a large-scale, multi-disciplinary artistic fresco, bringing together nearly 200 performers on stage. It features musicians from the Montreal Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Petits Chanteurs du Mont-Royal, a gospel choir, and a mix of singing, theatre, and dance, all enhanced by large-screen projections. Presented on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at 7:30 p.m., the event offered audiences a hopeful way to begin the new year.

A Message of Hope and Beauty
At its heart, the message of Beauty Will Save the World is unambiguous: young people are not meant to limit their hopes to what the world alone can offer. A hope capable of sustaining life requires moving beyond immediate expectations and opening oneself to an unbreakable love—one from which nothing and no one can separate us.

Through this work, Béland seeks to invite young people to move beyond anxiety and become genuine seekers of truth. This inner journey opens a path toward the deep, lasting happiness to which every human being aspires and for which each is ultimately called.

Speaking directly to young artists who wish to place their creativity at the service of meaning and hope, he offers a clear direction: to awaken nostalgia—not mere sentimentality, but a longing rooted in the depths of the human heart. A nostalgia capable of stirring the desire for a beauty that is at once lost and foundational. When art succeeds in reawakening this memory of the beauty of creation and humanity’s vocation to happiness, it touches the essential.

For Béland, recovering this original harmony remains the only path to authentic happiness—perhaps still imperfect in this world, yet already carrying the promise of eternity.

The performance La beauté sauvera le monde was made possible through the generous collaboration of many partners. The Diocese of Montreal, together with Mission Jeunesse MTL, was grateful to support this artistic and spiritual initiative, which brought together theatre, music, and dance in a spirit of faith, beauty, and hope—particularly for younger generations.

Maribel Mayorga
Press Officer, Archbishop's Office and
Director, Communications and Media relations
Archdiocese of Montreal