Saint Joseph's Oratory welcomes people all year round! We are privileged to receive about 2 million visitors every year. All of our personnel do their utmost to maintain a high level of service for pilgrims from around the world. Looking ahead to enhance the quality, security, and beauty of our environment, in 2002 we drew up a proposal for major development and renovation with the support of Oratory donors, the public, religious communities, governments, and foundations.

Among other thing, we have constructed a new vehicle entrance ans access road; we have installed two elevators; the renovation of the Pilgrim Services Center is ongoing. Still to come is the striking project of the developement of the dome with its stunning panoramis view of the greater Montreal area. The dream of Brother André is going full steam ahead! It is incumbent upon us to conserve, to renew, and to protect on behalf of future generations, this traesure of our national heritage!

You will be touched and inspired by the realization of this unparalleted dream perched atop Mount Royal—a memorable spiritual adventure all under the protection of Saint Joseph!

Your participation is essential to the presence
of Saint Joseph's Oratory in the world!

• Preserving our heritage. The redesigned layout of the site emphasizes the main buildings used for religious ceremonies: the basilica, the chapel, and the crypt. It also takes into account the site's location on the side of Mount Royal in natural surroundings in a historical district.
  
• Functionality. The new additions and layout will improve the safety of the growing numbers of visitors, providing a more pleasant visit for all.
  
• Accessibility. The renovations and development will significanthly improve access for all visitors, whether alone or in groups, especially for the eldery and those with limited mobility.
  
• Safety. Roads and footpaths will be redesigned to improve the flow of pedestrians and cars in and out of the grounds and to keep pedestrian and motor vehicle traffic separate.
  
• Tourist attraction. The area between the outer dome and the inner dome will be completed and the carillon will be relocated to improve the quality of its acoustics. The museums will be modernized and the library will be made more accessible to researchers and the public.
  
• Comfort. The new layout will greatly improve the flow of visitor movement, regardless of group size or the purpose for the visit: pilgrimage, sight-seeing, prayer, quiet time, or simply coming to admire the beauty of the Oratory and its surroundings.
  
• The natural environment. The restoration project not only preserves but also increases the amount of green space, including the number of trees, shrubs, flowers, and hedges, while reducing the asphalted areas.
  
• The cost of the project. The work will cost approximately $75 million in all. This includes the construction of new buildings, the new roadway layout, and the restoration and renovation of the buildings and the site, as well as the work on the basilica.