St. Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal -- Montreal, Quebec, Canada

(CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)

Destination:  “The oratory is one of Quebec’s best-kept secrets,” said Guy Cormier, president and CEO of Desjardins Group, who is leading a fundraising campaign for an upcoming renovation at the church. At just over 100 years old, it is one of the newest major churches in Canada.
Masses are offered in English in the crypt church Monday-Saturday at 12:15  p.m., Tuesday and Thursday at 7: 30 p.m. (19:30), and Sunday at 11:15 a.m.; Sunday Masses in the basilica are in French at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Spanish Mass is offered on Sunday in the Crypt Church at  3 p.m. (15:00) following adoration and the rosary at 2 p.m. (14:00).
Why to go: From the small Chapel of Origin to the great Basilica, the beauty and diversity in the architectural heritage of Saint Joseph’s Oratory make it worth a visit before — and probably during — the upcoming renovation.
The changes are intended to “modernize many of its infrastructures” and, in 2022, after extensive work, “give a new experience” to the 2 million visitors who visit the oratory each year, Cormier said.
St. Joseph Oratory, managed by the Congregation of the Holy Cross, was founded in 1904 by St. Andre Bessette, known as Brother Andre. The oratory is located on Montreal’s famed Mount Royal.
Among its musical treasures is its organ, built by German organ maker Rudolf von Beckerath (1907-1976), and ranked among the top 10 in the world. Some of its 5,811 pipes are as long as 32 feet. Built in 1958 and 1959 in Germany, it took seven months to install it in Montreal. On Nov. 13, 1960, the organ was blessed and played for its first recital by a famous French organist, André Marchal.
Accessibility: Elevators, reserved parking and accessible areas throughout the oratory make it accessible to people with limited mobility.
(Grand) Kid friendly: Usual church behavior is expected.
Info: Address — Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal, 3800 Queen Mary Road, Montreal (Quebec) Canada, H3V 1H6
 Phone — 1-877-672-8647
Website — https://www.saint-joseph.org/en/

— CNS, Sharon Boehlefeld contributed to the story
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Our Lady of the Cape Shrine -- Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada

(Observer phoot/www.quebecshrines.com/en/our-lady-of-the-cape-shrine/gallery)

Destination: Canada owes him the return of the Franciscans, the founding of the country’s largest Marian sanctuary, and the development of strong and lasting ties between the French Canadians and the Holy Land. Yet, 100 years after his death and though he might become Canada’s next saint, Blessed Frederic Janssoone still remains largely unknown to many people in Quebec. You can meet him at Our Lady of Cape Shrine in Trois-Rivieres (Three-Rivers), Quebec.
Masses in English are offered daily from May to mid-October. Ask for times at the information booth located between the Old Shrine and the Basilica.
Why to go: Born in 1838 in northern France, Frederic Janssoone joined the Franciscans in 1864 and was ordained in 1870. From 1876 to 1888, he was the custodial vicar of the Holy Land, assisting the custos with care of holy places. These 12 years left a strong imprint on him; he developed a deep attachment to the Holy Land as he got more and more involved in its development and renewal. He re-established the Way of the Cross processions on Jerusalem’s Via Dolorosa — a first in almost 250 years. He also built ecumenical ties with representatives of other Christian churches.
In 1888, his superiors sent him to Canada. 
The shrine with which Father Janssoone is associated stands on the shore of the St. Lawrence River. More than 500,000 pilgrims visit annually.
The historical chapel was built in 1714, the oldest church kept in its integrity in Canada. A large modern basilica was inaugurated in 1964.
Its stained glass windows are magnificent and the Casavant organ is one of the largest in Canada. With its beautiful gardens overlooking the river, the shrine reveals an oasis of greenery and inspires peace and tranquility.
Access: Plan on some walking to see all of the shrine.
(Grand) Kid friendly: There’s a spot to picnic with the family behind the Basilica along the St. Lawrence River.
Info: Address — Our Lady of the Cape Shrine, 626, rue Notre-Dame Est, Trois-Rivières (Québec), G8T 4G9 Canada n Phone — 1 819 374-2441 n Website — www.quebecshrines.com/en/our-lady-of-the-cape-shrine
— Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld; CNS contributions from Philippe Vaillancourt, editor-in-chief of Presence info based in Montreal
Send Destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org