St Josephs Oratory

**primabella** · 08-19-2003, 06:14 PM

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

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.

A close-up of the statue at the top

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

Here are some pictures of the outside in front of the church

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**primabella** · 08-19-2003, 06:21 PM

I like this picture for some reason. Lol. The tree is cute.

The oratory from far (I took this from the car, that's why there are lines)

Whether you are religious or not, you have to admit this is a very beautiful church.

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?

**mugsy** · 08-19-2003, 06:24 PM

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

**primabella** · 08-19-2003, 06:49 PM

Thanks mugsy.

I'm not even sure what it is. I've always referred to it as an oratory.

**primabella** · 08-19-2003, 08:53 PM

bump

**micki76** · 08-19-2003, 09:53 PM

Very cool pics! It looks HUGE!

**GoldenRetrLuver** · 08-19-2003, 10:45 PM

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

**ticosmyham** · 08-20-2003, 02:49 AM

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

**popcornbird** · 08-20-2003, 03:19 AM

Wow! Its huge! Thanks for sharing!

Is there something special about this church in particular, or is it just that its big and famous?

**anna_66** · 08-20-2003, 07:57 AM

Thanks for sharing the pics.

**tatsxxx11** · 08-20-2003, 08:04 AM

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

**primabella** · 08-20-2003, 09:06 AM

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!