I posted a day ago that it was a Saturday post. Really, it was Friday. This post is about Saturday in Montreal and I’m writing it on Sunday. Sadly, today, Sunday, I have to check out of the Le Stephen Hotel and travel back home to Florida.

On Saturday, Rebecca and I decided to tour the St. Joseph Oratory the highest point in Montreal on west side of Mont Royal. The others in the group went off to the Bonsecours Market. The weather is quite warm again today; I am not planning to walk to the tourist events today. Ubering all the way!

St. Joseph’s Oratory is a National Shrine and largest church in Canada. It is also the highest building in Montreal. Here’s the Wikipedia page to provide more accurate details. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Joseph’s_Oratory

We walked up the 250 steps to the very top basilica versus crawling up on our knees. A special section of the stairs is dedicated to those who want to kneel as they go up to the shrine.

There are several chapels and a crypt located on the shrine complex. No worries if you do not want to walk (or crawl) the steps, you can take the elevator or escalator to the different levels. There is a great observation deck with a sculpture that is quite emotionally moving. The Votive Chapel is incredible, never seen anything like this before. All dedicated to Brother Andre’s patron saint St. Joseph. The Brother Andre Bessette became Saint Andre of Montreal in 2010.

The Votive Chapel has different sections each with their own prayer displayed to St. Joseph for specifics. The first picture shows all the crutches and canes left.

Back to the hotel to meet up with Frank and uber to the Montreal history and archaeology museum. Fascinating place. The entire museum is part of an archaeological dig discovered in 1999. A unique museum with a good mix of history, interactive exhibits and plenty of signage to read. Some of the floors are glass covered so you can walk above the excavation. Right now there is also a special exhibition of Knights armor and history. Definitely glad we decided to go here. If you go, buy your tickets on-line, as it is the only way to purchase tickets. Here are a sampling of what to see.

The cemetery excavation is brought to life with a video display on the wall above the site.

Also, walking through the old sewer built for the early days of the city, deep under the buildings, was a bit eerie!

Last night for dinner together. We head to the Winston Churchill Pub. Happy hour drinks and good food and more poutine! The group heads off to explore the city and festivals. I head to the Bar George for a night cap and to reflect on the day. Relishing every moment!