Saint Joseph’s Oratory, a witness to this journey
The Christian’s spiritual journey is a true pilgrimage, marked by suffering and trials, but also by light and hope. As Pilgrims of Hope, we walk in the footsteps of Christ, anchored in the reality of Golgotha, carried by the power of prayer, and called to enter into the glory of the Resurrection.
Golgotha is the pinnacle of Christ’s sacrifice, the place of absolute self-giving. It symbolizes our own suffering, our daily crosses, our moments of doubt and darkness. Contemplating Christ on the cross, we understand that suffering, although formidable, is not an end in itself. It is a step on the path to redemption. Every tear shed in the night of trial becomes a pearl of hope when we experience it in union with Christ.
The Power of Prayer: Strength and Consolation: On this path, prayer is our breath, our strength. It is prayer that allows us to stand firm when the weight of the cross seems overwhelming. In the silence of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed, finding in his dialogue with the Father the courage to see it through to the end. Like him, we are invited to unshakeable trust. Through prayer, we discover that we are never alone in our trials: God walks with us. It was this absolute trust in divine providence that sustained Saint Brother André throughout his life. A modest porter at Notre-Dame College, he transformed every moment of his daily life into an offering of faith and charity. He tirelessly encouraged those suffering to turn to Saint Joseph, patron saint of difficult causes, asserting with conviction: “Place your sorrow in the hands of Saint Joseph, and he will answer you.”
The Resurrection: Triumph of Light: All suffering experienced in faith finds its fulfillment in the Resurrection. On Easter morning, the stone is rolled away from the tomb, and life triumphs over death. This triumph is not just a past event: it is a living reality, a promise for each of us. Our earthly pilgrimage does not end at Golgotha; it leads us to the light of Easter morning, where our crosses are transfigured into signs of victory. Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal is a living testimony to this hope. Built with faith and perseverance, it has become a place of grace and healing, where millions of pilgrims come to lay down their burdens and renew their trust in God. There, at the summit of Mount Royal, hope takes shape, and each step climbing the steps of the Oratory becomes an echo of the path to glory.
Walking as Pilgrims of Hope: As Pilgrims of Hope, we are called to bear witness to this victory in our daily lives. Every act of faith, every gesture of charity, every word of encouragement we offer becomes an echo of Easter morning. Faith is not a simple intellectual adherence to a doctrine, but a living encounter with the Risen Christ, who transforms our lives and those of those we meet.
Brother André teaches us that holiness is not reserved for a select few, but is forged in the small things of everyday life, in absolute trust in God and constant intercession. His example invites us to lay down our burdens with confidence, knowing that the glory of the Resurrection awaits all those who persevere in faith. May our pilgrimage be a source of hope, may it teach us to see beyond trials, and may it lead us, step by step, from Golgotha to glory. “If we die with him, we will live with him” (2 Tim 2:11).
Rev. Bernard Antoine C.S.C.,
Rector, St.Joseph’s Oratory, Montreal, Canada
Leave a Reply