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MONTREAL

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   * Cathedral of the Queen of the World
   * Notre-Dame Basilica
   * St. Joseph's Oratory




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 1. Sacred Destinations
 2. Destinations
 3. Canada
 4. Montreal
 5. St. Joseph's Oratory, Montreal


ST. JOSEPH'S ORATORY, MONTREAL

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St. Joseph's Oratory is a great basilica with a giant copper dome built in honor
of St. Joseph, patron saint of Canada. The massive edifice, high on the slopes
of Mount Royale in Quebec, belies its simple origins as the dream of a humble
lay brother named Brother André. Pilgrims still come from all over North America
to pray for healing at the shrine of Fr. André, who was canonized a saint in
2010.


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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH'S ORATORY

Brother André was a lay brother of the Holy Cross order who was devoted to Saint
Joseph (the Virgin Mary's husband). André especially related to the carpenter
Joseph because of their shared experience as laborers and migrants.

Born Alfred Besette in 1845 and orphaned at 12, Brother André joined the Holy
Cross Order at 25. Due to his poor health, he was assigned the humble duties of
receptionist and doorkeeper at the College Notre-Dame in Montreal. However,
another of his assigned tasks was visiting sick students and he soon gained a
reputation as a miraculous healer through his prayers to St. Joseph.

Before long, a new venue for his fast-growing healing ministry became necessary.
Brother André raised $200 from small donations and giving student haircuts at 5
cents each to build a small wooden chapel in 1904 near the site of the modern
basilica. Grandly named Saint Joseph's Oratory, the chapel was just 15 feet by
18 feet.

Brother André's powers attracted pilgrims from great distances and he performed
his healing work until his death in 1937. In 1916 alone, 435 cases of healing
were reported. Interestingly, Brother André never witnessed a miracle himself.
He counseled and prayed with the sick, but they were cured after he had gone. He
later said this was his greatest cause of suffering.

André's popularity was so great that he soon attracted the attention of church
authorities, and a special commission was set up to test the alleged cures and
André's integrity in 1911. The commission recommended that pilgrimages continue,
without commenting on the miracles.

André was beloved throughout his life and still remembered today for his life of
simple faith, continuous prayer and unfailing kindness. When he died in 1937, a
million people filed past his casket despite bitter winter cold.

André's dream of building a great shrine to Saint Joseph became a reality in
1955, when the present basilica was completed. Brother André was buried in the
basilica. He was beatified (declared "Blessed"), a status one step below
sainthood, by Pope John Paul II in 1982, and canonized a saint by Pope Benedict
on October 17, 2010.


WHAT TO SEE AT ST. JOSEPH'S ORATORY

At 263m (863 ft.), the shrine of St. Joseph is the highest point in Montréal.
Its dome is second in size only to St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.

The basilica is largely Italian Renaissance in style, its dome recalling the
shape of the Duomo in Florence, but of much greater size and somewhat less
grace. Inside are outstanding sculptures, stained glass (depicting 10 scenes
from Canadian religious history) and other artworks.

Liturgical music and concerts are provided by a great organ (with 5,811 pipes),
a carillion in 56 bells in their own building, and a choir school.

Also inside is a museum dedicated to Saint André, where a central exhibit is his
embalmed heart. The heart was stolen in 1972 but recovered two years later.

Outside, a Way of the Cross lined with sculptures was the setting of scenes for
the film Jesus of Montréal. Brother André's wooden chapel, with his tiny
bedroom, is on the grounds and open to the public.

Pilgrims, some ill, come to seek intercession from St. Joseph and St. André and
often climb the middle set of 100 steps on their knees.




QUICK FACTS ON ST. JOSEPH'S ORATORY

Site Information Names:L'Oratoire Saint-Joseph · St. Joseph's Oratory
Country:Canada Categories:basilicas; churches; shrines; oratories
Faiths:Catholicism Styles:Renaissance Revival Dedication: St. Joseph Dates:1955
Status: active Visitor and Contact Information Coordinates:45.491938° N,
73.616928° W Address:3800 Chemin Queen Mary
Montreal, Canada Phone:514/733-8211 Hours:Daily 6am-9:30pm; museum daily
9am-5pm; tours 10am and 2pm in summer and weekends Sept-Oct. 56-bell carillon
plays Wed-Fri noon-3pm, Sat-Sun noon-2:30pm Lodging:View hotels near St.
Joseph's Oratory

Note: This information was accurate when first published and we do our best to
keep it updated, but details such as opening hours and prices can change without
notice. To avoid disappointment, please check with the site directly before
making a special trip.


REFERENCES

 1. Saint Joseph's Oratory (official website)
 2. Quebec monk declared saint for his 'boundless charity' - CTV News, October
    17, 2010
 3. Norbert C. Brockman, Encyclopedia of Sacred Places (Oxford UP, 1997),
    250-51.
 4. Herbert Bailey Livesey, Frommer's Montreal and Quebec City 2006


MORE INFORMATION

 * Boniface Hanley, Brother André (St. Joseph's Oratory, 1981).
 * C. Bernard Ruffin, The Life of Brother André (OSV, 1988).
 * Susan Stein, The Tapestry of St. Joseph (Apostle, 1991).
 * Photos of St. Joseph's Oratory - here on Sacred Destinations

© James Melzer © James Melzer



MAP OF ST. JOSEPH'S ORATORY, MONTREAL

Below is a location map and aerial view of St. Joseph's Oratory. Using the
buttons on the left (or the wheel on your mouse), you can zoom in for a closer
look, or zoom out to get your bearings. To move around, click and drag the map
with your mouse.




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