Jump to content

Saint Joseph's Oratory

Coordinates:45°29′30″N73°37′00″W/ 45.491667°N 73.616667°W/45.491667; -73.616667
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Saint Joseph's Oratory
Oratoire Saint-Joseph
Religion
AffiliationRoman Catholic
DistrictArchdiocese of Montreal
Ecclesiastical or organizational statusMinor basilica
LeadershipMichael Delaney,C.S.C.
Location
Location3800, chemin Queen Mary
Montreal, Quebec,Canada
Saint Joseph's Oratory is located in Montreal
Saint Joseph's Oratory
Shown within Montreal
Geographic coordinates45°29′30″N73°37′00″W/ 45.491667°N 73.616667°W/45.491667; -73.616667
Architecture
Architect(s)Dalbé Viau, Alphonse Venne,Lucien ParentandDom Paul Bellot
TypeOratory,domedbasilica
StyleItalian renaissance
Completed1967
Specifications
Direction of façadeNNW
Capacity10,000 / 2,400 sitting
Length105 metres (344 ft)
Width65 metres (213 ft)
Width (nave)37 metres (121 ft)
Height (max)102 metres (335 ft)
Dome(s)1 (double shell design)
Dome height (outer)97 metres (318 ft) (from nave floor)
Dome height (inner)60 metres (200 ft) (from nave floor)
Dome dia. (outer)39 metres (128 ft)
Dome dia. (inner)26 metres (85 ft)
MaterialsCanadiangranite,copper
Official name: Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal National Historic Site of Canada
Designated2004
Website
www.saint-joseph.org

Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal(French:Oratoire Saint-Joseph-du-Mont-Royal) is aRoman Catholicminor basilicaandnational shrinelocated at 3800Queen Mary Roadin theCôte-des-Neigesneighborhood onMount Royal'sWestmount SummitinMontreal,Quebec.[1]It is aNational Historic Site of Canadaand isCanada'slargest church,with one of thelargest church domesin the world.[2]Founded in 1904 by SaintAndré Bessettein honour of his patron saint,Saint Joseph,the Oratory is the product of numerous architects and thousands of workers in a process spanning six decades. With its monumental scale,Renaissance Revivalfacade and contrastingArt Decointerior, the Oratory is recognizable not just in Montreal but around the world, attracting more than 2 million visitors andpilgrimsto its steps each year.[3]

The Oratory is thehighestbuilding in Montreal, rising more than 30 metres aboveMount Royal's summit,allowing it to be seen from many kilometres away.[4]It is one of the few buildings that violates the height restriction under the municipal building code of Montreal, which limits the height of any building, including skyscrapers, from surpassing the height of Mount Royal.[5]

Since 2018, the dome and lantern atop the Oratory have undergone a series of renovations expected to be completed in 2024 by architecture firmsAtelier TAGandArchitecture49.TheC$80 million project will create safe access to the lantern which will allow for an unprecedented 360-degree view over the mountain of the city.

History[edit]

Early history[edit]

SaintAndré Bessette,C.S.C.(1845-1937), more commonly known as Brother André, was a monk and a member of theCongregation of Holy Crosswho became internationally renowned as a miracle healer. Due to his reputation, in 1904 he was given funding to construct a small chapel on Mount-Royal across fromNotre Dame College[6]to operate out of. The small,Gothic Revivalstyle chapel expanded four times over the next decade with the growing of Brother André's fame and the Congregation decided to fulfill his request to build abasilicain his patron saint,Saint Joseph's honor. The original chapel, measuring 4.5 meters by 5.5 meters still stands today, though it has since been relocated about a hundred meters away to make room for the massive basilica that stands today.

André Bessette,C.S.C.,commonly known as Brother André.

The first phase of the basilica’s construction involved architects Dalbé Viau (1881- 1938) and Alphonse Venne (1875-1934) who had previously done work for the Congregation. From 1914 to 1916, Viau and Venne constructed the crypt church, with seating for 1000, which still stands today and forms the base of the basilica where the massive collection of stairs ends. Between 1924 and 1927, the crypt and building up until the roof were completed in theRenaissance Revivalstyle. Viau and Venne had wanted the dome of the Oratory to resemble that ofSt. Peter’s Basilicain Rome, and to be smaller than it actually is today; however, they never had the chance to see those plans through as construction was halted withthe Great Depression.

After the Great Depression[edit]

In 1937, DomPaul Bellot(1876-1944), born in France, was hired to work after the death of Venne; however, he was required to work through CanadianLucien Parent(1893-1956) due to not being a registered architect in Quebec.[7]He redesigned Viau and Venne's roof and dome entirely, making the dome significantly larger and modelling it to resemble the dome ofFlorence Cathedral.The construction of his large Oratory dome lasted four years and was completed in 1941 after involving thousands of workers.

Construction of the dome in 1937.

From 1949 to 1951, architect Gilbert Moreau carried out alterations and improvements to the interior of Saint Joseph's Oratory, as well as to the adjacent monastery, and rearranged the sacristy in the basilica.[8]

ComposerÉmilien Allardwas the church'scarillonneurfrom 1955 to 1975. ForRCA Victorhe released theLP albumCarols at the Carillon of Saint Joseph's Oratoryfor which he wrote the arrangements.[9]

21st century[edit]

On October 19, 2004, the Oratory held its centennial. All the bells of all the churches on the island of Montreal were supposed to ring at 9:00 a.m., though not all churches participated. At 9:05 a.m., the basilica rang its bell in response and celebration.

The Oratory's bells were rung in October 2004, to commemorate the centennial of the building's construction.

On April 2, again to commemorate the Oratory's centennial, Canada Post issued 'Saint Joseph's Oratory, Quebec' in the 2004 Tourist Attractions series. The stamp was designed by Catharine Bradbury & William Stewart based on a photograph by Bernard Brault. The 49¢ stamps are perforated kiss cut and were printed by Lowe-Martin Company Inc.[10]That same year, the Oratory was designated aNational Historic Site of Canada.[11][12]

On October 30, 2007, Father Charles Corso, a priest at the Oratory, was faced with adisorganizedanddepressedman who threatened to kill himself with a handgun.[13]The priest talked with the man and managed to calm him down before police arrived on scene. The man was brought to hospital to undergo psychiatric evaluation.[13]

On March 22, 2019, a 26-year-old man wearing a dark winter coat and light-coloured baseball cap entered the Oratory during the Friday morning mass, rapidly walked up to the centre, and stabbed the celebrating priest, Father Claude Grou.[14][15][13]Of the fifty people attending mass, several intervened to neutralize the assailant, before security guards responded. Police officers from theService de police de la Ville de Montréalquickly arrived on scene and arrested the assaillant who was already detained by security personnel.[16]The assaulted priest suffered only minor injuries, a single stab wound to the chest.[13]That same evening, upon being wheeled out of theMontreal General Hospital,he said, "My health is fine. I’ll take a little rest and I will be back to work when my rest is taken. And the Oratory will remain a place where people can be welcomed. A place of prayers, and a place of calm, and a place of peace - even if there are some moments like that."[13]

Today, the basilica enshrines a venerated statue ofSaint Joseph,currently located within the oil-burning chapel that was authorized aCanonical coronationbyPope Pius Xon 19 March 1910 via CardinalVincenzo Vannutelli.This statue was previously enshrined at theCôte-des-NeigesChapel and has been moved to the new modern basilica. The same image was ceremonially crowned for the second time on 9 August 1955 byPope Pius XIIvia CardinalPaul-Émile Léger.

Architecture and structure[edit]

Interior of the crypt church, showing the barrel vaulting of its ceiling.
The interior of the basilica, with its bright colours, stained glass and iconic multi-angled arches.
The statue of Saint Joseph in the Votive Chapel, surrounded by candles
The dome, as seen from the interior of the basilica.

When the basilica's construction began in 1914, many architects were challenging the conventionalBeaux-Arts styleandneoclassicism.This period was also around the time whereexpressionist architecture,constructivist architecture,Bauhausideas and many other facets of modern architecture began to take off, with pioneers likeLe Corbusierin Europe andFrank Lloyd Wrightin the United States refusing to be categorized by traditional architectural styles. It was certainly atypical for monumental classical church buildings to be constructed in cities around this time, yet Saint Joseph's Oratory was one of the largest buildings in Montreal when it was constructed, and was designed inRenaissance Revivalexterior with anArt Decointerior. The basilica, as it stands today, comprises many parts, including theCrypt Church,located underneath the basilica, theVotive Chapel,between the Crypt and the rock of Mount-Royal, theShrine,which encompasses thenave,apseandtransept,and thedome,which is the largest church dome in Canada and the third largest in the world.

During the summer solstice, the setting sun is perfectly aligned with the center line of the main steps that lead up to (and into) the basilica. Every year around that time, people sit on the steps to watch the sunset. The main aisle inside the basilica, and even the cross on the altar, are also in perfect alignment with the setting sun on the longest day of the year. Sunlight enters the basilica through some windows and doors.

On the day of the total solar eclipse, Monday April 8, 2024, the steps and surrounding areas were filled to capacity with people there to experience the eclipse. Totality occurred at 3:26pm for about 85 seconds. The temperature was about 15C. Although the eastern part of the sky was clear, the southwestern part, where the sun was, had cirrus clouds that muted some of the effects of the eclipse. However, the diamond ring effects, corona with prominences, and planets Venus and Jupiter were all visible to the unaided eye. The spectators cheered and applauded as totality started. After totality some people sang "You Are My Sunshine". A sun rainbow halo formed in the cirrus clouds, and a jet flying across the halo left a contrail with a contrail shadow. Most of the snow from the snowstorm 5 days earlier had melted.

Crypt Church[edit]

The Crypt Church, originally designed by Viau and Venne, measures 63.39 by 36.5 by 13.1 m (208.0 by 119.8 by 43.0 ft), has a seating capacity of 1000 people and is designed in aneoclassicalstyle. The ceiling is supported using thebarrel vaultingof steel-reinforced concretearches. The church is called a "crypt" due to its flattened arches as well as its position embedded into the mountain underneath the basilica.[3]There is a statue of Joseph made out ofCarrara marblebehind the main altar of the Crypt Church, added in 1917 by the Italian artist A. Giacomini. Eight stained glass windows depicting the stages inSaint Joseph's life were installed in the crypt in 1919 by the Montreal firm Perdriau et O'Shea.

Votive Chapel[edit]

Added between 1946 and 1949 between the Crypt Church and the rock of Mount Royal, the Votive Chapel is designed in Art Deco style from the plans ofLucien Parent,and relies on heavy use of geometric forms (square columns, square paneling on ceiling). The Chapel measures 31.69 by 15.2 by 27.43 m (104.0 by 49.9 by 90.0 ft) and contains approximately 10,000 candles, with the central lampstand in front of the statue of Saint Joseph holding approximately 3500 votive candles. The chapel, also referred to as "the Chapel of Ex-votos," has nearly 1000ex-votos(canes, crutches, etc.) suspended within it, left behind bypilgrimsduring the life of Brother André. The chapel also contains eightbas-reliefsdesigned by Canadian sculptor, Joseph Guardo in 1948, which illustrate eight of the attributes whichChristianityhas accorded to Saint Joseph. The tomb of Saint André, sculpted in blackmarble,rests in an alcove in the middle of the Votive Chapel.[3]

Shrine[edit]

The interior of the basilica, known as the Shrine, was designed using concepts by Dom Bellot as well as Canadian architect Gérard Notebaert, and uses a Latin cross layout with a dome at the crossing. The interior has an overall length of 105 m (344 ft). The nave, which containspewsto seat 2028 people (with a maximum capacity of 10,000 people), measures 37 m (121 ft) in width, while the transept measures 65 metres (213 ft) and connects to the shrine of Brother André. The apse, as well as the rest of the interior, is designed inArt Decostyle, which was very popular in Montreal during the 1930s, and contains sculptures,bas-reliefs,mosaics and stained glass of religious imagery. The roof of the basilica is held up using reinforced concrete multi-angle arches iconic of Dom Bellot’s style.

The exterior of the Oratory is constructed using large blocks of granite fromLac Méganticquarries in Quebec. Thecolonnadeat the front façade of the building consists of four 18 m (59 ft)-tall, 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in)-thickCorinthian columnswhich provide the structural support for theentablatureof the frontportico.It is alsocornicedandornamented.The staircase which leads from the street to the base of the basilica contain two parallel flights of 283 concrete steps separated by a central flight of 99 wooden steps reserved for pilgrims who wish to climb on their knees.[3]

Dome[edit]

The dome of Saint Joseph’s Oratory is the largest church dome in Canada and among the largest andthe tallest domes in the world,and this is a result of Dom Bellot’s very inspired and ambitious designs. His plans for the dome are very similar to those ofFlorence Cathedral,being of a "double shell" design, meaning it consists of two domes, one on the interior and one on the exterior with empty space in between. Like the cathedral in Florence, the outer dome of the Oratory consists of eightpointed archeslaying atop an octagonaldrum,with a lantern and cross. The outer dome of the Oratory measures only 17.78 cm (7.00 in) in thickness and the inner dome measures only about 12.7 cm (5.0 in) in thickness, which is approximately 18 times thinner than the dome ofSt. Peter's Basilicain Rome. The concrete shell of the Oratory's dome is so thin in fact that when related to its overall size, it is akin to an eggshell.[3]

The two domes vary immensely in span and height, with the outer dome measuring 39 m (128 ft) in diameter and rising 97 m (318 ft) from the nave floor, and the inner dome measuring 26 m (85 ft) in diameter and rising 60 m (200 ft) from the nave floor. There are 16 steelbuttressesalong the inner walls of the drums that provide the structural support for the dome. They serve to brace the inner dome against the outer dome, thus making the supporting walls for both domes more rigid.

Modern developments[edit]

In 2018, the architectural firmsAtelier TAGand Architecture49 won a competition organized by Saint Joseph's Oratory[17]to renovate the inside of its dome and its observatory. The project is estimated to cost around $80 million CAD and will also include a complete renovation of the building's museum and the construction of a new welcome centre on Queen Mary road. The lantern will have space for up to 17 visitors at a time and will offer the only 360-degree view over the mountain in the city. As of early 2024, renovations are underway.

In popular culture[edit]

The 1989 filmJesus of Montrealuses the Oratory as its principal backdrop.[18]A photograph of the Oratory is used for the picture representing Montreal in theMonopoly: Here and Now: The World Editiongame.

See also[edit]

Notes and references[edit]

  1. ^"Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal | Tourisme Montréal".mtl.org.Retrieved2022-11-11.
  2. ^"Bellot, Father Paul in Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Canada 1800–1950".RetrievedNovember 16,2011.
  3. ^abcde""Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal." L'Oratoire Saint-Joseph Du Mont-Royal ".Congrégation De Sainte-Croix.Retrieved2 January2020.
  4. ^"St. Joseph's Oratory Unveils Design of 360-Degree Montreal Observatory".Montreal Gazette. 2018.Retrieved2 January2020.
  5. ^"'Preserve the character of Mount Royal and its predominance in the urban landscape' Ville de Montreal - Master Plan, Part 1, Chapter 2, Objectif 11, Action 11.1 ".Retrieved20 November2019.
  6. ^Pound, Richard W. (2005).Fitzhenry and Whiteside Book of Canadian Facts and Dates.Fitzhenry and Whiteside.
  7. ^Pinard, Guy (1988).' "L'oratoire Saint-Joseph" Montreal: son histoire, son architecture, vol.2, pp.235-244'.Les Editions La Presse.
  8. ^"Moreau, Gilbert in Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Canada 1800–1950".RetrievedNovember 16,2011.
  9. ^"La vie et la mort d'un carillonneur",Musique périodique,vol 1, Jan–Feb 1977
  10. ^"Canada Post Stamp".Archived fromthe originalon 2016-02-02.Retrieved2019-05-20.
  11. ^"The Government of Canada Commemorates the National Historic Significance of Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal".News Release.Parks Canada.2005-09-19.Retrieved2009-01-08.[dead link]
  12. ^Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal National Historic Site of Canada.Canadian Register of Historic Places.Retrieved August 17, 2011.
  13. ^abcdeGould, Kevin; Luft, Amy (March 22, 2019)."Priest stabbed at Saint Joseph's Oratory says he looks forward to returning to work".Bell Media. CTV News Montreal.Retrieved23 March2019.
  14. ^Lau, Rachel (March 22, 2019)."Priest transported to hospital after stabbing at Saint Joseph's Oratory".Corus News. Global News.Retrieved23 March2019.
  15. ^Olson, Isaac (March 22, 2019)."Priest stabbed during morning mass at Montreal's Saint Joseph's Oratory".CBC/Radio-Canada. CBC News.Retrieved23 March2019.
  16. ^"St. Joseph's Oratory stabbing: 'People will come to pray for Father Grou'".Postmedia Network. Montreal Gazette.Retrieved23 March2019.
  17. ^Legret, Bertrand (4 June 2018)."Atelier TAG, Architecture49 and their partners, winners of the architectural competition organized by Saint Joseph's Oratory for the development of its dome".Architecture49 Montreal.Architecture49 Montreal.Retrieved8 August2022.
  18. ^Gray, Jeremy (2004).Lonely Planet Montreal.Melbourne, Oakland, London and Paris: Lonely Planet Publications. p. 29.ISBN1741041090.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related toSaint Joseph's Oratory of Mount-Royal.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Saint_Joseph%27s_Oratory&oldid=1218403254"