In 1904, Brother Andre Bessette of the Congregation of Holy Cross began the construction of a small chapel on the side of the mountain near Notre Dame College. Soon, that became much too small and a church, known as the crypt, was added in 1917. In 1924 the inauguration of the basilica took place, with completion in 1967. The Oratory’s dome is the third largest of its kind in the world and the largest church in Canada. The basilica is dedicated to St. Joseph, to whom Brother Andre credited all his reported miracles, mostly of the healing kind, and many pilgrims, some two million a year, come to the basilica to feel these healing powers. Brother Andre has passed and motions are in place to make him a saint, but the power of pilgrim’s faith as they visit St. Joseph’s oratory is an extraordinary experience.

Written by  John Johnston.

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