Enhancing the Garden of the Way of the Cross of the Oratory
The Garden of the Way of the Cross at Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal is undoubtedly a heritage gem that deserves to be preserved, protected, and brought to the attention of a wider audience. In recent years, several initiatives and activities have been undertaken to highlight the significance of this unique and remarkable place.
A Joint Lecture
This fall, a lecture entitled A Garden on the Mountain: The Way of the Cross at the Oratory was presented to the Oratory’s Associates and Grand Associates. The event was announced with the following description:
“Before the Garden of the Way of the Cross came into being, the Congregation of Holy Cross implemented an extensive land acquisition strategy to ensure that the Oratory would enjoy an exceptional degree of peace and quiet in the heart of Montreal. David Bureau, the Oratory’s archivist, invites you to uncover this little-known chapter in the history of the shrine.
In the second part of the lecture, Chantal Turbide, Director of the Museum and Curator of the Oratory’s Artistic Heritage, will present the remarkable garden designed by landscape architect Frederick Gage Todd, along with the unique Way of the Cross created by sculptor Louis Parent—an ensemble that beautifully brings together nature, art, and devotion.”
Learning about the history of the grounds through archival records, discovering the artists who contributed to the site, and understanding the work of art they created all help visitors gain a deeper appreciation of the garden. The second part of this indoor lecture was, in a sense, an invitation to take a journey through the history, space, and spirit of the place. The presentation also provided an opportunity to explore the Stations of the Cross, a popular devotion that was particularly dear to the Oratory’s founder, Brother André.
A Hidden Treasure Revealed
From spring through fall, thousands of visitors from around the world explore the Garden of the Way of the Cross at the Oratory. Yet many Montrealers remain unaware of the existence of this peaceful little haven in the heart of the island. The garden is undoubtedly one of Montreal’s best-kept secrets, as illustrated by this production from the Société des musées de Montréal (Montreal Museum Society): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xRbeatEv8U (in French).
Artworks on Display, Stories and Memories Shared
To learn more about the Oratory’s Way of the Cross, we invite you to explore preliminary landscape design sketches by various artists, discover the sculptures created for the site, and listen to firsthand accounts that bring its history to life. All of this can be found in the virtual exhibition Histoires d’Oratoire (Oratory Stories):
THE GARDEN LAID OUT IN THE SHAPE OF A ROSARY: https://histoiresdoratoire.org/fr/artefacts/1751/
ALL THE STATIONS OF THE WAY OF THE CROSS: https://histoiresdoratoire.org/fr/artefacts/1752/
A WATERCOLOR DEPICTING THE GROTTO OF THE AGONY: https://histoiresdoratoire.org/fr/artefacts/2175/
A PENCIL DRAWING OF THE TWELFTH STATION: https://histoiresdoratoire.org/fr/artefacts/1831/
A GUIDE’S HUMOROUS ACCOUNT OF THE GARDEN: https://histoiresdoratoire.org/fr/capsules/2618/
A SURPRISING ACCOUNT FROM A SECURITY GUARD: https://histoiresdoratoire.org/fr/capsules/2709/
A New Guided Tour Offering
Finally, this year, Alexis Roy, Head of Administration, Exhibitions and Outreach at the Oratory Museum, introduced a series of guided tours of the garden entitled A Thursday in the Garden. The initiative was a success and was very well received. Participants had the opportunity to discover firsthand this monumental yet deeply moving Way of the Cross. We sincerely hope to offer these guided tours again next year. If they do return, we hope you will sign up and join us in large numbers!
