A Night for Saint Joseph
Did you know that there were once Masses celebrated in the middle of the night on the eve of the feast of Saint Joseph ? For the occasion, the Oratory was literally open day and night. A notice to insomniacs!
An Early-Riser Pilgrimage
In the May 1939 issue of the Annales de Saint-Joseph, we read an account of the novena to Saint Joseph. At that time, the last three days of the novena were called the “Triduum.” Usually, during those final days, pilgrims were more numerous and preachers celebrated several Masses each day.
On the last day of the 1939 triduum, the magazine reports that “15,000 pilgrims filled the Crypt Church of Mount Royal during the night from Saturday to Sunday and throughout the entire day that followed.” (1). That is rather unusual: “during” the night.
The crowd gathers in the Crypt Church on the occasion of the novena to Saint Joseph. The rector, Émile Deguire, C.S.C., is clearly visible on the right. Around 1950. Photographer unidentified. OSJ Archives, 045-14.
Looking back a little further, we discover that the previous year, in March 1938, pilgrims arrived on foot at the crypt at 5:00 a.m. (2). Does this mean that in 1939 pilgrims were arriving in the middle of the night, before 5:00 a.m.?
Masses Throughout the Night
We then revisit the account of the March 1940 novena. That year, the author of the article notes “that the Crypt Church remains open during the night to receive those who come from afar,” such as members of the Montreal fire brigade, who set out on foot from the north end of the city and arrive at 5:00 a.m. (3)
The same thing occurs again for the 1941 vigil. It even seems that the night was particularly busy, indeed, exhausting! In colorful language, Father Alfred Laplante, C.S.C., writes:
“From 8:15 p.m. to midnight, not a single seat was free! Tightly packed rows, dignitaries and civilians, employers and workers, rich and poor, united in the same spirit of piety, singing and praying. These groups, coming from everywhere, keep climbing, climbing still. Telephone calls inform us that the organized pilgrimages are considerable and about to depart [for the Oratory].”
The first contingent of pilgrims for this vigil leaves downtown and arrives at half past midnight: 1,000 men. Around 2:00 a.m., 2,000 men climb the steps, led by a great friend of Brother André, Mr. Paul Corbeil.
There are particular complaints that the Basilica is not yet completed to accommodate the crowds: “Never have we longed so much for the Basilica as on that night. Saint Joseph has seen more than ever that it is absolutely necessary. Will he allow it to be completed next year?” (4)
At night, pilgrims make their way up the central staircase to reach the Crypt Church. The Basilica is still under construction. Around 1940. Photographer unidentified. OSJ Archives, 235-1.
The reports describe vigils during which Masses are celebrated without interruption from the evening of March 18 until the morning of March 19. For example, at the 1943 vigil, Masses are held continuously from 12:30 a.m. until the pontifical Mass at 10:00 a.m. There are even two Masses per hour at dawn, at 6:00, 6:30, 7:00, 7:30, 8:00, and 8:30 a.m.
Impressive Figures
Some reports speak of striking numbers of Holy Communions distributed: the figure of 30,000 is mentioned for the 1941 vigil and nearly 18,000 for the nighttime Masses of 1945.
Almost every year, the articles also recount, never without a certain emotion, the large number of pilgrims requesting confession during this special night. Thus, in 1942:
“The confessionals, where some forty priests took turns, were no longer sufficient: [requests for confession were directed] to the monastery, the parlor, the private chapels, the corridors, and even onto the terraces.” (5)
Observers were also astonished by the number of choirs that followed one after another. The 1945 novena seems to have been particularly splendid: 23 choirs came to sing at the Masses for Saint Joseph, though not all in a single night.
At the back of the Crypt Church, in the organ loft, a choir sings for the pilgrims gathered below. Around 1950. Photographer unidentified. OSJ Archives, 045-15.
The vigil on the eve of the Feast of Saint Joseph seems to have come to an abrupt end in the early 1950s. However, nighttime celebrations continued during the New Year’s pilgrimage, as well as at Masses for the August Novena dedicated to Brother André.
The Superior General of the Congregation of Holy Cross, Father Christopher O’Toole, C.S.C., presides at a midnight Mass for the Novena to Brother André on August 8, 1954. Photographer unidentified. OSJ Archives, 211.221-7.
These prayer vigils in honor of Saint Joseph call to mind the devotion of nocturnal adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. There is an obvious resemblance, yet research has not enabled us to establish a clear parallel with devotion to Saint Joseph. It will also be necessary to clarify why and how this practice of vigils for the Feast of Saint Joseph first appeared at the Oratory. There is still so much to discover !
Sources
- Annales de Saint-Joseph, May 1939, pp. 139–138.
- Annales de Saint-Joseph, May 1938, p. 158.
- Annales de Saint-Joseph, May 1940, p. 151.
- Alfred Laplante, C.S.C., “The Feast of Saint Joseph,” in Annales de Saint-Joseph, May 1941, p. 162.
- Annales de Saint-Joseph, May 1942, p. 163.
