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Alfred Bessette, born in 1845, joined the Congregation of the Holy Cross in 1870. Here, as a humble cleric, he assumed the name of Brother André and began working extraordinary curative powers on the sick. He attributed his skills to St Joseph’s intervention and petitioned for donations to build the Oratoire.

Inspired by the temples of Corinth, architects Dalbé Viau and Alphonse Venne designed the exterior of St Joseph’s, but the completion of the project was a collaboration of Lucien Parent, monk Dom Paul Bellot and architect Gérard Notebaert.

An extensive religious art collection heads the permanent features on display in the Museum of St Joseph. A fascinating wax figure exhibition depicts the life of the Holy Family in scenarios created by Canadian artist Joseph Guardo.

Created in 1916 at the foot of the basilica, the crypt church has a main altar of Carrara marble. Jean-Charles Charest, a Montréal artist, has renovated the sanctuary with a new tabernacle, lectern, colonnade, and oak chairs. Don’t miss the stunning stained-glass windows.

It is common to see a pilgrim struggling up the 300 stairs to the basilica on his knees. Since many climb each year, plans to refurbish the stairs are in place, to the tune of $8 million.

A convenient overnight hostel adjacent to the parking area contains a souvenir shop and cafeteria. A resident organization also helps arrange personalized religious journeys for the faithful.

Canes, crutches and other medical aids left behind by cured pilgrims line the walls in this small but inspirational chapel. Visitors can light a devotional candle, then walk past a statue of St Joseph to the room of Brother André’s tomb.

Brother André died on January 6, 1937, at the age of 91. A beautiful fresco, created by Henri Charlier, decorates his tomb wall. Also here is a register of millions of pilgrim signatures seeking canonization for the venerable Brother.

The magnificent altar, crucifix and wooden statues of the 12 Apostles are creations of the French artist Henri Charlier. Roger Villiers sculpted the Way of the Cross between 1957–9; the stunning interior mosaic was added to the altar in 1960.

Begun in 1956 by the then head of the church Father Brault, the oratory’s choir is made up of 170 boys aged between 9 and 17. Their silky vocals embellish more than 60 religious festivities each year, both at the oratory, around the country, and abroad. The boys receive their schooling here when they are not performing.