St. Joseph's Oratory

Our last day in Montreal we spent exploring St. Joseph's Oratory. St. Joseph's Oratory is on the highest hill in Montreal looking over the city, it really is a marvelous building. The outside of it reminds me a bit of the Cathedral here in St. Paul, MN.

This is a statue of Blessed Brother Andre ('blessed' meaning he is in the process of being canonized). He is the remarkable man behind St. Joseph's Oratory. His story is one that ranks him among the most beloved saints. He was born in the late nineteenth century; he was the 8th child of 12. He was baptized the day he was born since no one thought he would live more than a few days. His whole life he was ailed by illness and frailty (although he lived into his 80's!); for many years he was denied the opportunity to become a priest or monk because of physical weakness. He would be a burden. But Brother Andre persevered, and God performed many miracles through him.

This is a picture of Brother Andre's heart in the Oratory. Amazing!

Brother Andre healed so many people during the 1920's and 30's that people began leaving their canes at the Oratory as a witness to healing. There is no officially recorded number of people that he healed, but it is said to be in the several thousands. People were coming from all over Canada to see him. Brother Andre had a special devotion to St. Joseph and he attributed all healings to the intercession of St. Joseph.

I was fairly emotional as we visited the Oratory. My parents visited St. Joseph's in the fall of '07 when they went on their 7 week trip into Canada. My Mother loved this place and told me all about it. She came back and insisted that Mike and I would have to go some time. And here we were. I understand why she loved Brother Andre's story so much.

Jude helped us drive back over the boarder into the U. S. of A. (not really, we're waiting to get our passports checked here). We thoroughly enjoyed Canada, but it is always refreshing to come back to home sweet home!