When visiting Montreal, The Saint Joseph Oratory is a must-see Canadian historic site: a catholic sanctuary founded in 1904 by Brother André who was later on canonized in 2010 and became the patron saint of the sick and cripple.
(Image source: Wikimedia Commons)
Saint Joseph's Oratory is an important pilgrimage centre steeped in history and traditions, placed in the heart of Montreal city, on the Mont-Royal hill, near the University of Montreal and Côtes-des-Neiges cemetery.
On a scale at par with the biggest churches in the world, the Oratory is a hallmark of religious, artistic and architectural heritage, receiving over 2 million visitors each year. It is the largest shrine dedicated to the warship of St.-Joseph in the whole world.
(Image source: Pixabay)
There are three churches on the site: The Crypt Church, The Basilica and the Original Chapel where Holy Cross brothers used to live and Brother Andre received pilgrims.
The Basilica is a granite edifice located on the flank of the mountain side, designed in neoclassical style with a contemporary interior and some Italian Renaissance elements.
(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)
Inside the Basilica, there is a massive pipe organ, which is amazing in sight and sound. Every Sunday afternoon there is a organ concert going on.
(Image source: Vimeo)
Inside the Votive Chapel (the passage between the Crypt Church and the rock of Mount-Royal), 10,000 lamps and votive lights flicker daily in front of Saint-Joseph.
The Crypt Church (the main sanctuary) is positioned underneath the Basilica. It has an immense, yet austere interior (42 ft high), built in neoclassical style wit stained-glass windows outlining the life of Saint-Joseph. The Casavan organ was built one hundred years ago.
The Crypt Church can be reached by stairs or interior escalators. Some of the pilgrims prefer to climb the exterior stairs (a set of 100 wooden steps) on their knees, praying as the pilgrims used to do back in the days.
The church has a 318 ft. high copper dome.
Needless to add that the views from the heights of the Oratory are stunning. Tourists can enjoy a panoramic view of the city to the North East. With a bit of luck in sunny day, they can see the ridges of the Laurentians mountains, far in the distance.
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