Saint Joseph’s Oratory was honored with a personal letter and blessing from Pope Francis, on December 8, the one-year anniversary of the Holy Father’s declaration of the Year of Saint Joseph. The letter expresses gratitude for the Congregation of Holy Cross’s continuation of St. Brother André’s mission to the sick and marginalized, for the Oratory’s “exceptional work” promoting devotion to Saint Joseph, and for the welcome, reconciliation and peace people “of every background and circumstance” receive when visiting this “beacon of the Church in Quebec, throughout Canada, and for the Universal Church.”

The letter was received enthusiastically by the faithful when it was read at all of the weekend Masses and published on the Oratory website. The original copies of the letters, both in French and English and signed by Pope Francis, will eventually be on permanent display.

Learn more about the work of St. Joseph's Oratory

Fr. Michael DeLaney, C.S.C., Rector of St. Joseph's Oratory, expressed his appreciation for the Holy Father’s generous gesture of acknowledging “the meaningful and challenging work of the Oratory.”

Fr. DeLaney was also touched by the Pope’s “solid understanding of those who come to the Oratory, his awareness of Holy Cross, and the special role that Saint Joseph has in the Congregation of Holy Cross.”