Visiting St. Joseph's Oratory- Montreal -

 This Christmas I visited my daughter

Suzanne's family for Christmas and on 

 the 26th we visited St. Joseph's Oratory,

 in Montreal, Quebec.

A mountain top Basilica,

the largest Shrine in the world,

founded in 1904 by

Saint André Bessette,

(Brother André) 

Built on Mount Royal, a mountain

 in the middle of Montreal, with

 magnificent views of the city.

I used to visited the Oratory in the 

1970's, when I worked in Montreal,

and walk up all the stairs, around

 280 of them, to the front entrance.

Statue of St-Joseph

Suzanne and my Granddaughter Sabrina

Me and Sabrina.

It was a frosty Winter's Day.

"Angels Unawares" 

 A tribute to migrants and refugees

placed outside the Oratory in 2022,

 Sculptured by Timothy P. Schmalz,

and Ontario, artist.

 Also the same sculpture 

is placed at the Vatican in Rome.

A group of migrants and refugees huddled on 

a boat from different origins and times.

Angel wings emerge from the middle

 of this diverse group of people.

inspired from the scriptures

(Letter to the Hebrews 13:2)

A Crypt Church,

l

Magnificent Architecture 

The Nativity

Votive Chapel,

Also crutches, canes etc are visible

left behind by people who were healed

by Brother André.

 The tomb of Brother André

and his heart preserved in a jar,

can be viewed nearby.

The first bell

Wooden carvings of The Apostles

There is a Museum with exhibits of

crèches (mangers) from around the world.

I photographed a few of them.

Taiwan

Senegal

Ireland

Spain

Slovenia

Saint André Bessette- Brother André

passed away at the age of 91 in 1937.

 A miracle healer, healing

a numerous number of people.

In 2010 he was declared the first saint 

of the Congregation of Holy Cross,

canonized by Pope Benedict XV1.

Thanks for your visit.

Wishing you all joy and happiness

this holiday season. 

💚💗💜