Overview:

is a Roman Catholic basilica located on the northwest side of Mount Royal in Montreal, Quebec. It is the largest church in Canada and is dedicated to Saint Joseph. It is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in North America and each year millions of pilgrims visit the shrine to pray to Saint Joseph. The basilica features a dome that sits at 207 feet, making it the highest point in the city of Montreal. The basilica also features an outdoor grotto and several chapels dedicated to the saints, including the Blessed Virgin Mary. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Canada
Prominent Features:

1. Dome: The most prominent feature of St. Joseph's Oratory is its massive dome, which stands over 100 meters high and is one of the highest points in Montreal. 2. Statue of St. Joseph: Located at the entrance of the Oratory is the 5.5 meter tall bronze statue of St. Joseph holding a globe, donated by the people of Montreal. 3. The Crypt Church: Beneath the dome of St. Joseph's Oratory is the Crypt Church which was built in 1912 and can hold up to 4,500 people. 4. Pilgrimage Stairs: Climbing the stairs of St. Joseph's Oratory is a form of pilgrimage for many and is said to bring the faithful closer to St. Joseph. 5. Shrine of Saint André Bessette: Located inside the Oratory is the Shrine of Saint André Bessette, a former monk who believed that St. Joseph would help cure the sick. 6. Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes: Also located at St. Joseph's Oratory is the replica of the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes from a famous Marian shrine in Lourdes, France. This national monument of Canada portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

St. Joseph's Oratory, located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, first opened in 1904. It was founded by a Roman Catholic priest, Friar Andre Bessette, who is also known as Brother Andre. He had a deep devotion to St. Joseph, the patron saint of Canada, and believed that the building of an oratory dedicated to him would bring healing and peace to those who visited. Friar Andre had been praying to St. Joseph, asking him to bring relief to a suffering nation, and considered the erection of an oratory the answer to his prayers. After the death of Friar Andre in 1937, the work of his mission was continued by the Congregation of Holy Cross and the subsequent building of the oratory was completed in 1967. Today, St. Joseph's Oratory is one of the most visited Catholic pilgrimage sites in the world. Its dome rises 56 meters above Montreal and is the second largest dome in the world after St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Nearly two million pilgrims visit the oratory each year to ask for the intercession of St. Joseph. The oratory houses several chapels and the remains of Friar Andre in the crypt beneath the main altar. St. Joseph's Oratory is also home to a library of spiritual books and artifacts, some of which are centuries old. The devotion to St. Joseph continues to inspire and bring hope and the blessing of the Almighty to all who visit. The oratory remains a place of peace and faith for pilgrims from all over the world. You must visit one of these historical places in Canada on your Canada tour

Interesting facts:

1. St. Joseph's Oratory is the largest church in Canada, with a capacity of over 10,000 people. 2. The basilica was founded in 1904 by Saint André Bessette, who would later be declared a Saint by Saint Pope John Paul II in 2010. 3. The dome of the Basilica is the second highest in the world, measuring feet (97 m). 4. It is the third most visited Catholic shrine in the world after the Vatican and Notre-Dame de Lourdes. 5. Thousands of pilgrims visit the shrine each year to take part in song, prayer and healing. 6. St. Joseph's Oratory houses a very large collection of artifacts, including art, sculptures, and historical documents. 7. The Oratory has its own Pipe Organ, installed in 1965; it is over ten meters wide and 33 meters in length, with 7344 pipes and 139 registers. 8. In 2013, the basilica underwent a major restoration that cost around $45 million. 9. The shrine is also home to numerous events, including concerts, musicals, exhibitions, and more. 10. Since 2017, St. Joseph's Oratory has been offering Quebec's first Catholic registry of weddings, allowing couples to be married within the walls of this holy place. Visit one of the famous monuments of Canada with your friends and family.