St Josephs Oratory

[primabella]

My family and I go to St Josephs Oratory every year so we can pray for a safe year. I'm not much for churches but I love this one because it is so big and beautiful. I took pictures to share with everyone too. :)

I know a lot of them look "spotty" but it's because it was dark inside and I tried fixing them up so you could see them. We were in a rush so there aren't many pictures. A lot of them were taken while we were driving away. Lol. Okay well here they are:

This is the big statue that is at the front of the church
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid75/pc2b09b165118aaf3697748c2fb06b9e7/fb57208d.jpg
This is inside the big room where everyone can light candles for themselves and their loved ones. I always liked this one best, it is at center of the room and has the most candles you can light.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid75/p50e4dab672866f7a25a619ef6f35a4e3/fb572084.jpg
A close-up of the statue at the top
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid75/p5f8bdc7e61cd2e7dc23aa251e1b6ab7e/fb571ccc.jpg
These are the canes of all the handicap or hurt people who didn't need them anymore. Someone told me the story of them a long time ago but I forget it now. There are like 4 more walls of these in the same room
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid75/p22ea525d5532a44446f90c5e08612350/fb571ccf.jpg
Here are some pictures of the outside in front of the church
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid75/pa772b6886c8fc926510050010b2f5a2b/fb571b2b.jpg
...

[primabella]

I like this picture for some reason. Lol. The tree is cute. :)
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid75/p61f12d8fe0bf2770978b94bd58e0811a/fb5718d5.jpg
The oratory from far (I took this from the car, that's why there are lines)
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid75/p72b340d1bc1f04cba835ab456a8f8912/fb5718da.jpg
Whether you are religious or not, you have to admit this is a very beautiful church. :)
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid75/p10fd32519382dec43b07b3929a540507/fb571b29.jpg

Sorry if that bored you. Lol. I was just amazed that people from Ontario, Nova Scotia, California came down to see the church. Anyone else here been there? :D

[mugsy]

That is a huge church. Is it a basillica? (spelling?) Beautiful pictures.

[primabella]

Thanks mugsy. :) I'm not even sure what it is. I've always referred to it as an oratory. :o :o

[primabella]

bump :p

[micki76]

Very cool pics! It looks HUGE! :eek:

[GoldenRetrLuver]

Cool pics. I'm not much for churches...but it does look very beautiful.

[ticosmyham]

Do you have anymore info on the wall of canes?.....Sounds interesting. Great pics by the way, very pretty.

[popcornbird]

Wow! Its huge! Thanks for sharing! :) Is there something special about this church in particular, or is it just that its big and famous? :confused:

[anna_66]

Thanks for sharing the pics.

[tatsxxx11]

Beautiful pictures!! And very inspirational. Is it in Montereal? If so, here'a link to more about it. The site describes an oratory (vs a basilica) thusly:

Designated as a place for intimate prayer, an oratory is a very special house of worship notable for its lack of grandiose ornamentation and decor

St Joseph's Oratory (http://english.montrealplus.ca/profile/472756/)

[primabella]

Thanks guys. :)

Yes Sandra, it is in Montreal. :)

PCB, I think the story goes that Borther Andre (and there is even his tomb and heart inside the church) wanted to build a place of prayer on top of Mount Royal. I guess it just started getting bigger, as it got more famous. I know it had started to be built in 1904.

ticosmyham - I'm really sorry I forget about it. But in the article that Sandra posted they say: "Known as the miracle-worker of Mount Royal for his devotion to the sick and handicapped of Montreal, the unassuming Brother Andre had only intended for a small place of spiritual reflection to mark his devotion to Saint Joseph." So I guess everytime a sick person (throughouot the years) didn't need their cane anymore or were saved by a miracle (my teacher told me this) they gave the cane to the Oratory to hang on the wall.

I'm glad you guys liked the pics. I know a lot of you aren't religious and stuff but it really is a nice place! :)