Prime Minister Stephen Harper pays tribute to Saint André of Montreal

October 30, 2010

Visits Saint Joseph’s Oratory and Attends Thanksgiving Mass

MONTREAL - Prime Minister Stephen Harper today attended a thanksgiving mass at Montreal's Olympic Stadium in honour of the canonization of Brother André.  The Prime Minister also paid tribute to this remarkable Canadian by visiting Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal, which recently received additional government support for vital restoration work.
 
“For many, his life is an example of how faith can move mountains. For others, he is a source of profound inspiration. We all recognize that he was a great man, a great Quebecer and a great Canadian.”
 
Brother André was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican on October 17, 2010.  He is the second Canadian-born saint in our country’s history and the first Canadian man to be canonized.
 
Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan’s National Historic Sites of Canada Cost-Sharing Program, the Harper government is providing support for restoration work at Saint Joseph’s Oratory. These funds will make it possible to repair the copper roofs on the basilica’s four turrets and the surrounding stone masonry walls.
 
Approximately two million people visit St. Joseph’s Oratory — where Brother André is entombed — every year. 
 


 
Backgrounder

SAINT JOSEPH’S ORATORY OF MOUNT ROYAL

Perched high on the northern slope of Montreal’s Mount Royal, Saint Joseph’s Oratory is a vast Roman Catholic pilgrimage centre that attracts travellers from around the world. The copper-domed basilica, which dominates the landmark site, overlooks the city and can be seen for several kilometres around. Pilgrims and tourists who visit Mount Royal come through a gated entryway and walk along a sacred path, the Way of the Cross and the gardens that lead to the basilica.
 
In addition to being a renowned spiritual and tourist destination, the Oratory also has great historic value. Its original building, a small chapel, was built between 1904 and 1912 and was expanded with the assistance of many great architects throughout the first half of the 20th century. In 2005, the Oratory was added to the list of National Historic Sites.
 
Today, the site is perhaps best known for its founder, Brother André, who was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican on October 17, 2010.  He is the second Canadian-born saint in our country’s history and the first Canadian man to be canonized.
 
Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan’s National Historic Sites of Canada Cost-Sharing Program, the government contributed $425,000 in 2009–2010 and will contribute up to $425,000 in 2010–2011 to support restoration work at Saint Joseph’s Oratory. These funds will allow the repair of the copper roofs on the basilica’s four turrets and the surrounding stone masonry walls.