St.Joseph Oratory is a Roman Catholic basilica and the largest church in Canada. This sacred place has a very interesting history. So a very religious man, Andre Bessette was helping all the people who needed his help. So he became a well known person for his caring attitude. In 1904 he started to built a chapel near the Notre-Dame college where were receiving all the prayers. He told them to pray to St.Joseph because he will hear their illness and will help. Soon Andre Bessette realized that that space is not enough for all the people who came so they started to built a crypt in 1917 that supposed to gather over 1,000 prayers. Very soon this crypt was too small either so they started the construction of basilica. It took many years to complete the basilica and in 1967 it opens the door of the most large churh and they named it St.Josepf to the honor of this Saint who had done many miracles for him and for the visitors who came to pray in this sacred place.
St.Joseph Oratory is designed in a Italian Renaissance style by two famous architects, Alphonse Venne and Dalbe Viau, who made it to look gorgeous with exceptional paintings from St.Joseph’s life. Basilica’s dome has 236 meters above sea level and for getting inside the buiding the vistors have to climb 280 steps. This holy place helped a lot of people of their illness, as a prove are the crutches that are seen on the walls from the people who were healed there. Andre Bessette was for a long time considered the one who made miracles for those in need, and the Roman Catholic Church in 1982 gave him the beatification.
Andre bessette’s heart is kept in a shrine in the basilica’s museum, for protecting this sacred church and to inspire the people who enter the place. The basilica has a capacity of about 3,000 visitors. Inside the basilica stays the statue of St.Joseph, 9 foot tall, on the right of the altar the pilgrims can pray at the statue of Christ on a large crucifix. The doors on the back of the Crypt church will take you to the terrace where you can admire the great view of the west side of the Mount Royal. There the visitors can find spaces for rest and fountains where you can drink water.
The Oratory Museum includes large collection of pieces of art from the St.Joseph and Andre Bessette. Every year there are organized exhibitions where are collected artworks from the entire world, some of them dating since 6th century. The St.Joseph Oratory is the ideal place where you should take a break and meditate about your soul and mind. You will feel the sensation of being released of all the troubles and problem. This sacred place is the home for miracles and good things so while in Montreal don’t miss the chance to visit this magnificent masterpiece.
By Eugenia Cvasov
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The most popular places to visit in Montreal .
Montreal is the largest city in Canada and is rich in spectacular monuments and landscapes.
If you plan a trip in Montreal you definitely have to admire its museums, its amazing nature that is in a perfect harmony with the architectural pieces of art.
Check out the best places to visit in this unique city and make a decision based on reality.
