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Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal

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Hill Top St Joseph's Oratory | Montreal Day Trip | Quebec Canada
Hill Top St Joseph's Oratory

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.

Gardens of the Way of the Cross | Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal, Montreal Travel
Gardens of the Way of the Cross

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. 

St Joseph Statue in Votive Chapel | Things to do in Montreal, Quebec Canada
St Joseph Statue in Votive Chapel

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:

Terrace St Joseph's Oratory Guide | Montreal Attractions | Quebec Canada
Terrace St Joseph's Oratory
Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal Guide, Montreal Travel
Basilica Alter | Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal Guide, Montreal Canada
Basilica Alter

To investigate accommodations near Saint Joseph's Oratory look in the Downtown or Old Montreal area:

Ecomony hotel: Sonder Le Victoria

Luxury hotel: Hotel William Gray

St Joseph's Basilica Dome | Things to do in Montreal, Quebec Canada
St Joseph's Basilica Dome

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.

Interior Original Church | Montreal Day Trip | Canadian National Monument
Interior Original Church

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.

Statue of Saint Andre Bessette | St Joseph's Oratory Guide, Montreal Quebec
Statue of Saint Andre Bessette

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.

Crutches and Canes from Healings | Things to do in Montreal, Quebec Canada
Crutches and Canes from Healings

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.

Angels Unaware Statue | Montreal Attractions & Montreal Travel
Angels Unaware Statue

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 OF MOUNT ROYAL

Our guide contains a walking route to help you hit all the oratory's highlights. We suggest viewing the sights in the following order:

Oratory Gardens | Things to do in Montreal, Quebec Canada Travel Blog
Oratory Gardens

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.

Votive Chapel | Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal Guide
Votive Chapel

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). 

Tomb of Saint Andre of Montreal | Things to do in Montreal, Quebec Canada
Tomb of Saint Andre of Montreal

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. 

Crypt Church on Montreal Day Trip, St Joseph's Oratory, Quebec Travel
Crypt Church

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.

Virgin Mary by Rock of Mount Royal | Montreal attractions, Quebec Travel Blog
Virgin Mary by Rock of Mount Royal

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.

Reflective Pool | Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal Guide
Reflective Pool

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.

Brother Andre Period Room | Things to do in Montreal, Quebec Canada
Brother Andre Period 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.

Bronze Doors of Basilica | Montreal Attractions, Quebec Canada Travel Blog
Bronze Doors of Basilica

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.

Basilica Nave | St Joseph's Oratory | Montreal Attractions
Basilica Nave

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).

Terrace Panoramic Views | Things to do in Montreal, Quebec Travel
Terrace Panoramic Views

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.

Gift Shop | Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal, Montreal Attractions
Gift Shop

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.

Stations of the Cross | Montreal Day Trip, Quebec Canada
Stations of the Cross

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.

Original Chapel | Things to do in Montreal | Quebec Travel
Original Chapel

Que la pait soit avec toi (peace be with you), Laura and Randy

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Side View St Joseph's Oratory | Montreal Day Trip, Quebec Canada
Side View St Joseph's Oratory

 

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