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oratory_3449.jpg
The Saint joseph's oratory of Montreal.The first small chapel had been erected in 1904, but it soon became too small to receive all the people who were coming to the mountain. As a result, the chapel was extended in 1908, and then again in 1910. Still, this was not enough: a larger church in honour of Saint Joseph was needed. .In 1917, a new Crypt-Church was inaugurated. This crypt was able to hold at least a thousand people: but, this was only the starting point of an even greater endeavour. Brother André devoted his efforts to building the Oratory, which was to become the world's greater sanctuary dedicated to Saint Joseph. .The economic crisis of 1929 forced the construction of the Basilica to come to a standstill. In 1936, the authorities of the Congregation of Holy Cross called a special meeting to decide if the project should continue or not. The Provincial summoned Brother André to ask for his opinion on the matter. The ageing Brother André had only a few words for the assembly: ''This is not my work, it is the work of Saint Joseph. Put one of his statues in the middle of the building. If he wants a roof over his head, he'll take care of it.'' Two months later, the Congregation had amassed the necessary funds to continue working on the construction.
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