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Decorating the votive chapel

By David Bureau.
March 24, 2025
History, Religious Heritage, Saint Joseph

Decorating the votive chapel

For the 2025 Novena to Saint Joseph, we continue our little story of the votive chapel.

 

Too fast a start

Work is progressing well at the beginning of 1949. There is even hope of inaugurating the new space for the Easter celebration. For the religious of Sainte-Croix, the time has come to think about the statue of Saint Joseph they wish to install in the chapel. They toy with the idea of reproducing the statue from the main altar of the crypt. This would create a distinctive image of Saint Joseph for the Oratory, almost like a trademark. They also consider a statue of Saint Joseph, the hope of the sick (1). For a while, they even think about the statue blessed by Pope Pius IX, which dates back to the very beginning of the work, but it is quite small (2).

However, all these considerations are cut short when the inauguration date is set for August 9, 1949. Time is running out, and in the rush, they opt for a temporary statue of Saint Joseph. For the moment, the decoration remains unfinished, although it is possible to light the lanterns placed on raw wooden stands.

Blessing of the votive chapel with Bishop Joseph Charbonneau, August 9, 1949. Photographer unidentified. OSJ Archives.

 

A Renowned Decorator

In January 1950, Rector Émile Deguire, CSC., wrote a report to Provincial Superior Jules Poitras, C.S.C., explaining the urgency of releasing the funds needed to complete the decoration and furnishings of the votive chapel.

To convince him, Father Deguire emphasized that the furnishings (lamp posts, balustrade, candelabras, offering boxes, gates) had been designed by Mr. Émile Lemieux, associate of the well-known architect Ernest Cormier, and decorator at the Eaton’s department store for over 30 years. As for the furniture, it was entrusted to the care of the Fer Ornemental Workshops in Saint-Hyacinthe.

Workers from the Fer Ornemental Workshops are busy cleaning the offering boxes. Around 1950. Photographer unidentified. OSJ Archives.

 

Father Deguire insists that, according to general opinion, this furniture “will help restore a religious atmosphere to the chapel that will foster piety and a sense of beauty that will charm visitors [and that] we can count on a greater number of lamps and lanterns.” (3)

In the January 1950 magazine, an inspiring preview of the upcoming central motif is provided. The green light to complete the work seems to have been given in May 1950. Once again, Émile Lemieux is called upon for new tasks: illuminating the stained-glass windows, electrifying the lamps with grilles, etc.

An artistic representation of the central motif presented in the The ORATORY magazine in January 1950. Unidentified illustrator. OSJ Archives.

 

The workers of the Oratory are building the platform for the central motif. Around 1949. Unidentified photographer. OSJ Archives.

 

The central motif with the temporary statue, around 1951. Unidentified photographer. OSJ Archives.

And here it is!

In the end, it is the Montreal sculptor Joseph Guardo who is entrusted with the task of creating a 2.6-meter statue to be added to the central motif. Guardo will also create the eight panels depicting the patronage of Saint Joseph, placed above the lamp posts.

The statue of Saint Joseph, the true keystone of the votive chapel, is installed on December 5, 1952. This date is like a wink from Saint Joseph to the sanctuary: 35 years earlier, on December 5, 1917, the statue of Saint Joseph was installed in the crypt.

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Saint Joseph’s Oratory will light a candle or a lantern for you in one of the places of prayer at Saint Joseph’s Oratory.
LIGHTING A VOTIVE CANDLE IS A WAY TO EXTEND OUR PRAYER, OR TO MAKE US CLOSER AND MORE IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE PERSON FOR WHOM WE ARE PRAYING.
$8 or more
Light a votive candle in the votive Chapel

The Votive Chapel is a place of devotion and ardent prayers where 10,000 votive candles shine before Saint Joseph.

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Light a votive candle in front of the Virgin Mary at the foot of Mount Royal

The Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus, occupies a special place in the life of Brother André. Moved several times, since 2011 she welcomes pilgrims and visitors to the heart of the rock on which the shrine dedicated to her husband, Joseph, is built.

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Light a votive candle in the Saint André Bessette Chapel

Named in honour of the founder of the Oratory and inaugurated on March 7, 2013, the Saint André Bessette Chapel features a display of electronic lanterns surmounted by an icon of Saint Brother André.

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$6 or more
The heart of Saint Brother André

The heart of Brother André is the symbol of his love for God and of his compassion toward all the people who came to him. This beloved relic evokes the interior life and feelings which animated the holy religious in his ministry of welcome, compassion, and healing.

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The pastoral team at Saint Joseph’s Oratory thanks you and remains always with you in prayerful union.
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Calling on Saint Joseph and Saint Brother André to be with me today and every day of my life.

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Send your condolences and associate a person to the prayers of Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal. In perpetuity, a daily prayer and a weekly Mass will be offered for the intentions of all affiliates.
Offer a perpetual affiliation

Your expression of sympathy will be sent on your behalf to the bereaved family through a souvenir booklet.

The burgundy hard cover booklet is simple and elegant, with a gold stamp of the Saint Joseph’s Oratory logo on the cover. Inside, you will find on the left an image associated with the Oratory and on the right the name of the deceased, a thought, your name and, if you wish, a short message to the family. You can personalize the booklet by choosing from our four inspirational images.

This perpetual affiliation is a quick and easy way to offer condolences, solidarity and support to the family and friends of the deceased.

A Perpetual Prayer Affiliation for $150 can be offered through our website or by phone.

LIGHTING A VOTIVE CANDLE IS A WAY TO EXTEND OUR PRAYER, OR TO MAKE US CLOSER AND MORE IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE PERSON FOR WHOM WE ARE PRAYING.
$8 or more
Light a votive candle in the votive Chapel

The Votive Chapel is a place of devotion and ardent prayers where 10,000 votive candles shine before Saint Joseph.

Light a candle →
$6 or more
Light a votive candle in front of the Virgin Mary at the foot of Mount Royal

The Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus, occupies a special place in the life of Brother André. Moved several times, since 2011 she welcomes pilgrims and visitors to the heart of the rock on which the shrine dedicated to her husband, Joseph, is built.

Light a candle →
$6 or more
Light a votive candle in the Saint André Bessette Chapel

Named in honour of the founder of the Oratory and inaugurated on March 7, 2013, the Saint André Bessette Chapel features a display of electronic lanterns surmounted by an icon of Saint Brother André.

Light a candle →
$6 or more
The heart of Saint Brother André

The heart of Brother André is the symbol of his love for God and of his compassion toward all the people who came to him. This beloved relic evokes the interior life and feelings which animated the holy religious in his ministry of welcome, compassion, and healing.

Light a candle →
The pastoral team at Saint Joseph’s Oratory thanks you and remains always with you in prayerful union.
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Contributions made to Saint Joseph’s Oratory allow us to continue the work of Saint Brother André accross time for the benefit of future generations. If your motivations for giving include supporting the Major Development Project, your donations will go towards developing the Shrine’s full potential.
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Many donors join the program because it’s practical and efficient. By becoming an Artisan of the Oratory, you are part of a community mobilized to offer a source of stable income to the Oratory.

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Support the continuation of the work of Saint Brother André with a planned gift to Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal – a gesture today for building the future.

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The pastoral team at Saint Joseph’s Oratory thanks you and remains always with you in prayerful union.
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The Oratory offers a marriage preparation service (only in French) where future brides and grooms are invited to reflect on their relationship in preparation for the big day. The session is offered over an intensive weekend in the company of a team of facilitators and a priest.

 

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