St Josephs Oratory Montreal – The world’s largest shrine to Jesus’ earthly father

My name is Amy Green, and I’m the cultural travel blogger behind www.templeseeker.com, bringing to you the most beautiful and fascinating religious and historical destinations around the world. I have a degree in Religion and Theology from the University of Manchester and so you can be assured that I know my stuff! I’ve spent 20 years travelling across Asia, Europe and North America. Today, I’m going to help you to plan your trip to visit Saint Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal, Canada.

Why visit Saint Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal?

My first impression of St Joseph’s Oratory was seeing the majestic dome rising above Mount Royal. Just wow! It was on a much bigger scale than I expected. So, what makes the Oratory so special? Well it’s a pilgrimage site, an architectural wonder, and green oasis all in one. But above all, this is the largest shrine to Saint Joseph (Jesus’ earthly father) in the entire world. In this blog, I will be helping you with the best time to visit, getting there, how to plan your time, what to see on each “floor” (yes, there’s six of them!), plus the history behind it all. The great news is that it is also free entrance as a place of worship and pilgrimage, much like the Churches of Quebec.

When is the best time to visit Saint Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal?

I visited in June, and although it was perfect weather, some days were quite hot for me and I will admit that I got a little bit sun-burnt! Consider the seasons and also the crowds when you plan your visit to Montreal and St Joseph’s oratory.

Spring and autumn (fall) offer mild weather, blooming Gardens of the Way of the Cross and fewer tourists. May and September are the best months to visit. Summer will be quite hot with lots of pilgrims and tours, but may have a more vibrant atmosphere (and occasional organ concerts). If you are brave enough to visit in the winter time, you will be rewarded with magical snowy dome views, but be sure to bundle up!

Regarding time of day, it’s best to visit early in the morning for fewer people and great photos. Afternoon is also a good time to take pictures. Make sure that you plan the times carefully for attending Mass or the organ/carillon recitals, if that is important to you.

There are certain times of the year that you might want to plan for, or avoid, depending on the purpose of your visit. My visit was educational or touristic, so I didn’t need to plan for any festivals or services, but if you are a pilgrim / devout Catholic you might want to consider attending the June Haitian pilgrimage or one of the saintly feast days (check official site here).

How to get to Saint Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal

I travelled quite a distance to visit this place – I flew from London Heathrow to Montreal! Once you are in Montreal, it is easy to get to the Oratory by public transport. Take the metro to Snowdon (blue) for a 15 minute walk uphill or the metro to Côte-Des-Neiges (orange) for a 10 minute easier and more comfortable walk to the Oratory.

You can also get a taxi from downtown in around 7-10 CAD. Uber works well in Montreal and the advantage of using Uber is that you know what you will pay.

• Address: 3800 Queen Mary Road, Côte‑des‑Neiges, Mount Royal
• Accessibility: elevators, escalators, shuttle service—good for limited mobility visitors
• Cost to enter the Oratory: Free (donations welcomed)

How long should I plan to spend at Saint Joseph’s Oratory?

An hour to an hour and a half is just about sufficient to visit the basilica, crypt, votive chapel and viewpoint. If you would like to see all 6 floors including the museum level and the gardens, along with the original chapel, plan to spend 2-3 hours. You can also book guided tours, which last approximately 90 minutes.

A Brief History and Background of Saint Joseph’s Oratory

• Saint Joseph’s Oratory was founded by Brother André Bessette (1845–1937). This Holy Cross brother was known for miraculous healings attributed to St Joseph. He started with the small wooden chapel in 1904.
• The chapel expanded in 1914–16 into Crypt Church by Viau and Venne. They intended a dome like St Peter’s, but paused due to the Great Depression.
• In 1937, Dom Paul Bellot and Lucien Parent revised plans and built the present Oratory dome in 1937–41. It was modelled on the Florence Cathedral, double-shell and on a massive scale.
• The basilica was consecrated in 1955 and the interior shrine was completed in 1966.
• The Oratory is the backdrop in “Jesus of Montreal”, famed organ concerts and one of the top pilgrimage destinations internationally.

St Joseph’s Oratory – What to See Floor by Floor

OK, templeseekers and culture vultures, it’s time to explore! As there is so much to explore at St. Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal, I’ve split this section of the guide into what you can see on each floor. There is also a visitor’s guide booklet available (~32 pages) at the gift shop/entrance to the Oratory.

Street Level – Main Entrance to the Oratory

At street level, you can enjoy the beautiful gardens and various statues before you head to the main stairs. There are 283 stone steps, plus 99 wooden pilgrim steps in the middle. If you’re a photographer, you might want to bring a wide-angle lens for some great pictures of the dome. The oratory was designed by architect Gérard Notebaert, and it is made from granite with a copper dome and classical-columned portico. It’s a beautiful amalgamation of styles – Italian Renaissance meets Art Deco.

You could walk straight up the main stone staircase to the top main shrine if you wanted to, or you could do what I did and enter up the side stairs on the left, which take you to the main entrance. There you can collect an information booklet if you want to and you can access escalators and lifts to all floors.

If you have 2-3 hours to spare, I recommend starting on the first floor to see the Crypt Church and the Votive chapel, and then working your way up floor by floor.

First Floor – Crypt Church and Votive Chapel

The Crypt Church has a Neoclassical vibe, with oak paneling and ornate arches (see saint-joseph.org). It contains a Carrara marble statue of Joseph (1917), bas‑reliefs and stained glass by Perdriau and O’Shea. The chapel is a quiet space, ideal for contemplation and reflection.

In the calm Votive chapel, you will see thousands of candles, and ex‑votos like crutches & canes, which are memorials of alleged past healed pilgrims. You can light a candle for a donation of $6-8 CAD.

Also don’t miss the alcove with Brother André’s black marble tomb (pictured below) and the “Heart reliquary” and statue of Joseph glowing with devotion.

Le Jardin du Chemin de la Croix – The Garden of the way of the Cross

On the next level to the left of the exterior of the oratory, you will come to ‘Le Jardin du Chemin de la Croix’, which is the Garden of the way of the Cross. It contains 42 life‑size figures of the 16 stations of the Cross, amongst a beautiful setting of trees and flowers. These white sculptures within gardens and contemplative trails offer a peaceful retreat in city.

Lookout point and Sculpture

On the same level as ‘Le Jardin du Chemin de la Croix’ you will find a fantastic look out point, which offers a spectacular skyline view of the city of Montreal. You will also see an interesting and inclusive Monument of Solidarity on lookout platform.

Main Basilica Shrine

The main Basilica contains seating a capacity of 8000 – 10,000 people. Designed by Notebaert and Dom Paul Bellot, the main Basilica has a Renaissance Revival exterior and an Art Deco interior. The Dome itself has an inner diameter of 26 m and an outer diameter of 39 m, making it Canada’s largest church dome. The stained glass is designed by Marius Plamondon – 10 windows highlighting St Joseph’s role in Canadian history. The main Basilica has a carillon of 56 bells and a notable organ, making it a great venue for concerts and cultural events.

The Original Chapel

Finally, here’s something that not everyone knows about. The original Saint Joseph’s chapel can still be found if you go out the back of the main shrine at the right hand side and follow the signs that continue outside to the right. This gorgeous wooden chapel built in 1904 is just 4.5m x 5.5m. it was relocated when the main oratory was built, to honour the shrine’s beginnings.

As you can see, the inside of this small wooden chapel shows a poignant contrast between the original humble origins and grand modern basilica.

Museum & Exhibition (6th Level)

On the 6th level of the Basilica, you will find displays on Brother André including life‑size scenes, his heart in reliquary, early photos and several of his artefacts. There is a Nativity and sacred art collections for a small entry fee (~CA $3 at the time of writing).

Templeseekers Top Tips for Visiting St. Joseph’s Oratory

• Plan ahead: free entry, but museum, tours, candle-lighting and parking cost extra. Book group visits early to avoid disappointment.
• How long to spend: Plan to spend at least 2-3 hours at the Oratory.
• Accessibility: good elevator and escalator coverage, expect some slopes and steps in the garden.
• On-site services: café, gift shop, restrooms, pilgrim accommodation (John XXIII Pavilion) available.
• Photography advice: If you are a photographer, you might want to bring a wide-angle lens for the dome and remember to capture the votive candles in low light.
• Check for Closures – Remember to check for service times and construction alerts including potential dome renovation.
• Why it’s worth it: St. Joseph’s Oratory is a blend of spiritual depth, architectural grandeur, urban nature, and rich history—it’s Montreal’s crown jewel.

Is Saint Joseph’s Oratory worth visiting?

So, is Saint Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal worth visiting? Absolutely, yes! I hope that I have convinced you of that! It’s worth it for both pilgrims and tourists alike. My favourite moment was seeing the beautiful extensive display of green and red candle light in the Votive chapel. Visit Saint Joseph’s oratory with open hearts, cameras, comfy shoes, and time to soak it all in. Finally, as a cheeky challenge, can you ascend the pilgrim steps on your knees (or not!) and share with me your dome selfie?!

Further Reading on Montreal and Quebec

If you enjoyed this article, you may want to read more about the Churches of Montreal here. If you are interested to hear more about Quebec, check out my article on the old town of Quebec – how to see it in one day.

You can also subscribe to my YouTube channel here. Thanks so much for reading, and more on Montreal and Quebec to come.