Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal houses a thematic collection focused on Saint Joseph. It is considered the foremost collection in the world on this subject. It is comprised of thousands of postage stamps whose images relate directly or indirectly to Saint Joseph.
Father Aimé Trottier, CSC was an avid collector and a philatelist to the core. During the 1960’s it occurred to him to assemble a collection devoted entirely to Saint Joseph. Not only did he achieve his goal, but he was responsible for publicizing the collection and edited five extensive articles which appeared in the Cahiers de Joséphologie describing the postal issues which the Oratory had accumulated. For the next quarter century until his death in 1986, Father Trottier dedicated all his energy to the conservation of this stamp collection. He established the collection on a solid foundation and since then the work of this collector of international calibre has been maintained by the Oratory.
After Father Trottier’s death, the task of continuing the efforts of this religious was entrusted by the Oratory administration to the Center for Research. Under the sure hand of Madame Mariette Bédard, we carry forward Father Trottier’s labours.
The Oratory also organizes thematic displays on occasion. A newsletter is issued twice a year. Publications relating to stamp collecting are offered for sale by the Philatelist Circle.
Information
Pierre Dionne, Director General of the Oratory Foundation
