Saint Joseph's Oratory Welcomes Thousands of Visitors to Celebrate the Feast of Saint Joseph

MONTREAL, March 17, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Since March 10 last year, Saint Joseph's Oratory has welcomed thousands of pilgrims for its novena dedicated to Saint Joseph. Assembled around the theme A Heritage to Celebrate, visitors from Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick, several American states, Latin America and Europe come to pray to St. Joseph on Mount Royal.

"During the novena dedicated to Saint Joseph, people from all walks of life converge at the Oratory to thank him and share their joys, sorrows and concerns in confidence. In this festive year for Canadians, what a great opportunity to come and celebrate Joseph, patron saint of Canada." said the Rector of the Oratory, Father Claude Grou, C.S.C.

Feast of Saint Joseph on March 19
This novena culminates on Sunday, March 19 with the great feast of Saint Joseph. Three celebrations will bring together the pilgrims in the basilica of the Oratory: at 10 a.m. with Mgr. Luc Cyr, Archbishop of Sherbrooke; at 2:30 p.m. with Mgr. Claude Hamelin, Auxiliary Bishop of Saint-Jean-Longueuil; and at 7:30 p.m. with Mgr. Christian Lépine, Archbishop of Montreal. On this occasion, the Redemptoris Custos mass in honour of Saint Joseph for organs, brass and choir, composed by Mr. Raymond Daveluy, will be performed at the three celebrations in the basilica. With les Petits Chanteurs du Mont-Royal directed by Andrew Gray, brass ensemble, Éric Thériault (tenor), Réjean Poirier (choir organ) and Vincent Boucher (grand organ). Musical prelude at the organ by Michel Richlinsly.

Nearly 15,000 pilgrims and visitors are expected to celebrate Saint Joseph, an emblematic figure so dear to the heart of the founder of Saint Joseph's Oratory, Saint Brother André.

Other celebrations in the crypt:
In French - 7 a.m., 8 a.m., 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
In English - 12:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.
In Spanish - 3 p.m.

Our complete schedule is available at www.saint-joseph.org 
Follow Saint Joseph's Oratory on facebook.com/osaintjoseph and twitter.com/osjmr

SOURCE L'Oratoire Saint-Joseph du Mont-Royal

Danielle Decelles / Elaine Mayrand, Communications Department, Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal, T: 514 733-8211 ext. 2711 / 3151, M: 514 264-1764 / 514 718-2124, [email protected] / [email protected]