On our last day in Montreal we headed up to Mount Royal. The entire city of Montreal can be seen from the top of Mount Royal which is the site of an extinct volcano, last active about 125 million years ago. Perched on the top of Mount Royal is the St. Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal. At the Oratory we took a 90 min tour which provided both the history of St. Joseph's and their vision for the future.
The history of the Oratory begins with the story of Brother Andre. Brother Andre, born Aug 9, 1845, was named Alfred Bessette. Because he was of poor health, his family baptized him right away and he remained at home and did not attend school. Growing up he tried many trades, but due to his poor health, was never able to stay employed. He desired to enter the seminary, but because he could not read or write he was rejected. In 1871 being admired for his devoted faith, he was given a job as door keeper and lamp tender at the College Notre Dame, a position he would serve in for 40 years. In 1878 he began to greet sick people in the lobby of the school. This brought scorn and controversy. He also began to take on cutting of student's hair. It is the proceeds from these haircuts that he would realize his dream: building a chapel to honor St. Joseph, the adoptive father of Jesus. The blessing of this modest chapel (oratory) would occur in 1904. As the years passed news spread of Brother Andre's healing of the sick and thousands came to see him. Eventually a second church was built to address the needs of the crowds, and later a third church that would be deemed a basilica would be built. Brother Andre, at the age of 91, would die in 1937. Because of his believed numerous performed healings, he was canonized as a Saint by the Catholic church in October 2000. More on Brother Andre can be read at: Brother Andre
Our tour began at the carillion bells. These bells were originally built to be installed at the Eiffel tower in Paris. They were loaned to St. Joseph's for their 50 year celebration. The people of St. Joseph loved this instrument so much that they raised the money to purchase the instrument so it could remain. If you would like to see them played go to this link. St. Joseph Carillon While the narration at this link is in French, you can both hear and watch this beautiful instrument being played.
Our tour included all three churches that were built over the years, all but the first oratory are still used multiple times a day. The grounds also have a museum that includes the actual brother Andre office and the actual hospital room he died in. And, his heart, yes you read right, is also on display. We heard the story too of how his heart was stolen in 1973 from the shrine were it was on display. It was held for ransom. The church never paid the ransom and the thieves realizing they were not going to get a ransom, eventually let church officials know where they could find brother Andre's heart. His heart was then put back on display, under greater security and alarms, however.
The history of the Oratory begins with the story of Brother Andre. Brother Andre, born Aug 9, 1845, was named Alfred Bessette. Because he was of poor health, his family baptized him right away and he remained at home and did not attend school. Growing up he tried many trades, but due to his poor health, was never able to stay employed. He desired to enter the seminary, but because he could not read or write he was rejected. In 1871 being admired for his devoted faith, he was given a job as door keeper and lamp tender at the College Notre Dame, a position he would serve in for 40 years. In 1878 he began to greet sick people in the lobby of the school. This brought scorn and controversy. He also began to take on cutting of student's hair. It is the proceeds from these haircuts that he would realize his dream: building a chapel to honor St. Joseph, the adoptive father of Jesus. The blessing of this modest chapel (oratory) would occur in 1904. As the years passed news spread of Brother Andre's healing of the sick and thousands came to see him. Eventually a second church was built to address the needs of the crowds, and later a third church that would be deemed a basilica would be built. Brother Andre, at the age of 91, would die in 1937. Because of his believed numerous performed healings, he was canonized as a Saint by the Catholic church in October 2000. More on Brother Andre can be read at: Brother Andre
Our tour began at the carillion bells. These bells were originally built to be installed at the Eiffel tower in Paris. They were loaned to St. Joseph's for their 50 year celebration. The people of St. Joseph loved this instrument so much that they raised the money to purchase the instrument so it could remain. If you would like to see them played go to this link. St. Joseph Carillon While the narration at this link is in French, you can both hear and watch this beautiful instrument being played.
Our tour included all three churches that were built over the years, all but the first oratory are still used multiple times a day. The grounds also have a museum that includes the actual brother Andre office and the actual hospital room he died in. And, his heart, yes you read right, is also on display. We heard the story too of how his heart was stolen in 1973 from the shrine were it was on display. It was held for ransom. The church never paid the ransom and the thieves realizing they were not going to get a ransom, eventually let church officials know where they could find brother Andre's heart. His heart was then put back on display, under greater security and alarms, however.
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