The carillon of Saint Joseph’s Oratory is making a comeback

The return of the imposing carillon of Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal was celebrated Saturday morning in Montreal, after a four-year absence for a major restoration in France.

“This instrument makes us proud, because it constitutes a unique heritage element in Quebec. From sacred songs to folklore tunes, from ancient melodies to contemporary repertoire, their voices delight all listeners,” said Father Patrick Vézina, director of the Associates of Brother André in a press release.

This “great moment” was highlighted Saturday morning during a ceremony, during which Father Mario Lachapelle and Father Claude Grou proceeded to the blessing of the carillon.

Its 56 bells were dismantled in 2018 and sent the following year to France, on the sidelines of a major development project involving, among other things, the construction of a new reception pavilion, the renovation of a museum space and the arrangement of the dome of the basilica.

Joined by The newspapera public relations official said the cost of restoring the carillon remained “confidential”.

First for the Eiffel Tower

In addition to the restoration of the existing bells, six others were added, thanks to the “success” of a fundraising campaign by the Oratory.

“The 62 bronze bells form an instrument whose total weight is nearly 19,000 kg. The most imposing bell, the drone, weighs 3600 kg while the smallest weighs only 5 kg,” writes the Oratory in its press release.

You should know that the carillon, created overall by the Paccard Foundry, was first intended for the Eiffel Tower. In 1955, he was loaned to Saint Joseph’s Oratory as part of his 50^e birthday, then donors then offered it.

Fall 2023

Notice to the curious, the bells will be “exceptionally” exhibited this weekend on the terrace in front of the crypt of the Oratory. They will be hoisted on June 19 to the heights of the new reception pavilion.

The carillon will be operational when the pavilion opens in the fall.

“The reconstruction of the carillon will make it much more efficient and the addition of the six bells will allow the musical repertoire to be widened. It is a great privilege for me to play again on this fabulous instrument, unique in Quebec,” said the titular carillonist, Andrée-Anne Doane.