Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal
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Our Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal guide will provide all the information you need to enjoy a Montreal day trip to this amazing heritage site.
Founded in 1904, Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal is the world’s largest shrine dedicated to the earthly father of Jesus. Every year, 2-million people visit the Canadian National Monument. Many are pilgrims who come to worship Saint Joseph. Others come to discover the Basilica’s unique historical, architectural, artistic, and cultural treasures.
The hilltop sanctuary was founded by Brother Andre Bessette. Through the years, Brother Andre saw the religious center grow from a tiny wooden church to a domed Basilica that is one of the most visited Montreal attractions. Today, the Basilica offers masses, music, exhibits, and tours of the Oratory and outside gardens.
Visiting Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal is one of the best things to do in Montreal. Use our guide to plan your day. Saint Joseph's Oratory makes a great half day trip; pair the outing with another Montreal attraction:
To investigate accommodations near Saint Joseph's Oratory look in the Downtown or Old Montreal area:
Ecomony hotel: Sonder Le Victoria
Mid-range hotel: Hotel Place d'Armes Old Montreal
Luxury hotel: Hotel William Gray
WHO WAS SAINT ANDRE BESSETTE
The history of Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal is tied to the life of Saint Andre Bessette. A member of the Congregation of the Holy Cross, Brother Andre gained a following for his healing ability, which he attributed to the work of Saint Joseph. In 1904, Brother Andre facilitated the building of a small wooden church on Mount Royal as a shrine to Saint Joseph. The faithful visited, miracles occurred, and the small shrine grew.
The building of the Basilica in its present form began in 1922. The opening of the Basilica did not occur until 1967 (after the death of Brother Andre). In 2010, Brother Andre was canonized as Saint Andre of Montreal. His tomb and heart reliquary lie within the Basilica.
WHERE IS ST. JOSEPH’S ORATORY
St Joseph’s Oratory is a ministry of the Congregation of Holy Cross. The physical address is 3800 Queen Mary Road, Montreal, QC. The complex is located in the Cote des Neiges neighborhood of Montreal, on the western summit of Mount Royal. Click here for information on renting a car.
HOW TO GET TO ST JOSEPH’S ORATORY
St Joseph’s Oratory is about 3.5-miles (5.6km) from Downtown Montreal and easily accessible by taxi, Uber, Metro (Snowden to Cote des Neiges), or Bus (No. 51, 165, 166, and 435).
THINGS TO KNOW
Tickets: Entry to the church is free, but donations are appreciated.
Other Costs: Parking $5 (Sundays free). Small fees for guided tours and museum entry.
Entry Hours & Days: St Joseph’s Oratory is open daily. Hours vary by season.
Facilities: There is a Visitor Center, Shuttle Bus, Café, Gift Shop, and Restrooms onsite.
SAINT JOSEPH’S ORATORY OF MOUNT ROYAL TOURS
From June to September daily tours are offered at 1:30pm. Go to the Visitor Center for tour information and times in other seasons.
THINGS TO SEE AT ST JOSEPH’S ORATORY
Our guide contains a walking route to help you hit all the oratory's highlights. We suggest viewing the sights in the following order:
Level 1: Votive Chapel, Andre’s Tomb, Crypt Church, & Rock of the Mt Royal
Votive Chapel
The grand Votive Chapel lies between the Crypt Church and Rock of Mount Royal. In the 100-foot passage thousands of lamps and votive lights flicker. The canes and crutches of pilgrims that have been healed are suspended along various pillars. There is a statue of Saint Joseph with a flame that never goes out. Saint Joseph’s oil is available to visitors as a symbol of faith.
Brother Andre’s Tomb
Just off the Votive Chapel, see the black granite tomb of Saint Andre Bessette. Visitors are invited to pray at the tomb of Brother Andre (founder of Saint Joseph’s Oratory).
Crypt Church
The neo-classical style Crypt Church can seat over 1000 people. Light enters the chapel through beautiful stained-glass windows. Notable features include a large statue of Saint Joseph, a large crucifix (where the faithful touch the foot of Jesus), and a Casavant organ in the organ loft.
Rock of the Mount Royal
Located behind the Votive Chapel is a dramatic vertical expanse of Mount Royal (the rock upon which the church was built). A Statue of the Virgin Mary in front of the rock provides a place to reflect.
Level 4: Brother Andre’s Heart, Exhibit of Brother Andre
Brother Andre’s Heart
When Brother Andre died his heart was preserved as a reliquary (relic), and put on display. The heart was stolen in 1973, and recovered a year later. There is now a security system in place.
Exhibit on Brother Andre
A display on Brother Andre tells the story of his life through photographs and other items. Three period-rooms include the doorkeeper’s quarters, offices at the Oratory, and sick room.
Level 5: The Oratory Museum
The St Joseph Oratory Museum is a mixture of old world religious art and contemporary art by present-day artists. The permanent collection includes a series of nativity scenes showing the birth of Jesus. A life size creche completed in 1955, by Joseph Guardo, is a highlight of the museum.
Level 6: Basilica
The modern interior of the Basilica of Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal is constructed of granite, wood, bronze, and quartz. The massive nave is remarkable for its stained-glass windows, Stations of the Cross, marble alter, and contemporary paintings. In addition to the nave, explore the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, Sant Andre Bessette Chapel, and the Rudolf von Beckerath organ.
Level 3: Vista and Lookout, Gift Shop, Gardens of the Way of the Cross
Vista Lookout
Level 3’s concourse opens up onto an outside terrace with a sweeping view of Montreal. Leading up to the terrace there are 283 steps. Of these steps, 99 are wooden and reserved for the faithful to climb up to the Crypt Church on their knees. From the belvedere there are also views of Notre Dame College (where Brother Andre worked as a doorkeeper for some 40 years).
Walk down the stairs until you reach the lovely sculpture by Timothy Schmalz. The “angels unaware” sculpture portrays men, women, and children piled in a boat with the wings of an angle in the middle of the group (reminding us to entertain strangers).
Gift Shop
Back inside the concourse, you will find a gift shop and restrooms.
Gardens of the Way of the Cross
Outside of the Level 3 Concourse, take time to tour the gorgeous Gardens of the Way of the Cross. The meditative garden is a mix of art and nature. It contains some 42 sculptures depicting 16 Stations of the Cross (depicting Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection). The landscape between each station is lush with trees, shrubs, and flowering plants. Beware: The 16 stations wind progressively upward. And, at the top of the hill, you will need to retrace your steps to Level 3 to exit.
Level 1 Parking Lot: Original Chapel
The Original Chapel encompasses the first chapel constructed on Mount Royal in 1904. It was named an “oratory” as it was a worship space of diminutive dimensions. The alter of the Original Chapel has a statue of Saint Joseph with the baby Jesus in his arms. On the chapel’s second level, there is a small bedroom where Brother Andre lived in the oratory’s early days.
Que la pait soit avec toi (peace be with you), Laura and Randy
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