Oratoire St-Joseph

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  • Address
    3800 ch Queen-Mary, Côte-des-Neiges
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  • Phone
    733 8211
  • Transport
    underground rail: Côte-des-Neiges

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Lonely Planet review

The gigantic oratory honors St Joseph, Canada's patron saint. The largest shrine ever built in honor of Jesus' father, this Renaissance-style building was completed in 1960 and commands wonderful views on the northern slope of Mont Royal. The oratory dome is visible from anywhere in this part of town.

The oratory is also a tribute to the work of Brother André, the determined monk who first built a little chapel here in 1904. André was said to have healing powers and as word spread, a larger shrine was needed so the church began gathering funds to build one. Rows of discarded crutches and walking sticks testify to this belief in a votive chapel and the shrine is warmed by hundreds of candles. Brother Andrés heart is on view too. It was stolen by a zealot some years ago but later returned intact. Film buffs will know that scenes of Jésus of Montréal were shot along the Way of the Cross outside the oratory.

There's a small museum dedicated to Brother André, who was beatified in 1982. Free guided tours are given in several languages at and daily in summer. Sundays feature organ concerts at .