Denomination: CATHOLIC

Saint-Joseph's Oratory of Mount-Royal
3800 Queen Mary Road, Montreal (Quebec) H3V 1H6


Photo: D. Stiebeling
Frère André
Photo: D. Stiebeling
Photo: D. Stiebeling
his majestic temple is the result of the work done by Brother André of the Congregation of the Holy Cross. Ever since he was a child, Brother André had had a special devotion towards Saint Joseph. Upon his admittance to the religious community, his superior assigned him to be the superintendant for Notre-Dame College, a position which he fulfilled for forty years. During this time, he busied himself by receiving visits from the sick who implored him to intervene of their behalfs in his prayers so that they could be cured. However, he also held onto his dream of building a place of worship, an oratory, to honour Saint Joseph, the spouse of the Virgin Mary and the foster father of Jesus. With the help of his friends and offerings from the faithful, his dream was realized and the Oratory became the most important pilgrimage center dedicated to Saint Joseph in the world.


Photo: D. Stiebeling
Photo: D. Stiebeling
hen Brother André was superintendant at the College, he often went to the mountain to pray. Here, he installed a statue of Saint Joseph, scattered a few medals on the ground and between the trees and succeeded in convincing his superiors of the necessity of building a little chapel. Once the land was acquired, Brother André and his friends put all their efforts into the project at hand. On October 15, 1904, a tiny chapel measuring four by five meters was inaugurated. The faithful could now come and pray to Saint Joseph on the slope of Mount Royal. However, this little chapel soon needed to be expanded in order to accommodate all of its visitors. Brother André's reputation had spread rapidly, stories of his cures had circulated far and wide and more and more pilgrims were coming to visit him. In 1908, the chapel could accommodate a hundred people. A steeple had been added and the nave enlarged, although for the last time. Although the chapel has been renovated since then, its present state is exactly as it was at the beginning of its existence.


Photo: D. Stiebeling
Photo: D. Stiebeling
he building of the Basilica began in 1924 according to the plans of the architects Viau and Venne. Due to the complexity and cost of the construction as well as the years of economic recession at the end of the decade, it took several years to complete the huge Basilica. At the time of his death, Brother André had seen neither the roof nor the dome that were to cover the gigantic building.
The interior plans conceived by the Canadian architect Gérard Notebaert involves a sumptuous movement of ascending lines which, highlighted by the stained-glass windows by Marius Plamondon, join at the ceiling like hands in prayer. This great simplicity fosters a sense of peace and a climate conducive to contemplation and prayer for believers of all cultures and religious faith. Pilgrims from all across the Americas and overseas come to participate in the celebrations frequently taking place at the Basilica.


Photo: D. Stiebeling
Photo: D. Stiebeling
    The two domes
  • The inner dome: 26 m (85 ft) in diameter
  • The outer copula: 39 m (125 ft) in diameter
  • The exterior dome rises 155 m (506 ft) above street level and 263 m (856 ft) above average sea level. It is the highest point in Montreal.

he façade of the Basilica
The construction of the Basilica on Mount Royal required the builders to build the structure into the rock of the mountain. The style of the Basilica is inspired by the Italian Renaissance, with modern features found in the contours of the dome designed by Dom (Paul) Bellot, OSB. The Basilica is made of concrete covered by solid silver granite extracted from the quarries of St-Cécile, near Lac Megantic in the Eastern Townships.
Photo: D. Stiebeling
Photo: D. Stiebeling

Inspired by the temples of Corinth, the colonnade is approximately 18 meters high. The exterior dome is 39 meters in diameter and covers another dome which is 26 meters in diameter. The highest point at the top of the cross overshadowing the lantern is 155 meters above street level and 263 meters above sea level. Every day, pilgrims can be seen climbing the 283 steps which lead from the street level all the way up to the front steps of the Basilica.

onstruction of the exterior architecture of the Basilica which began in 1924 according to the plans of Montreal Dalbé Viau and Alphonse had not yet been built when Brother André passed away on January 6, 1937. Later that same year, the French Benedictine monk, Dom (Paul) Bellot, in collaboration with the Montreal architect Lucien Parent, undertook the completion of the Basilica.
The dome was casted and overlaid with copper and the towers and the base of the dome took on their final appearances. Executed according to the plans of the Canadian architect Gérard Notebaert, the interior was completed in 1966.
Photo: D. Stiebeling

Text: Saint-Joseph's Oratory of Mount-Royal
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