St. Joseph's Shrine

When St. Dunstan’s Cathedral was in the process of being rebuilt from1913 to1919, trainloads of Island Catholics would make pilgrimages to Canada’s two most popular healing shrines: St. Anne de Beaupre near Quebec City and St. Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal.  Those who designed St. Dunstan’s honored this pilgrimage travel by creating our very own small shrines dedicated to St. Joseph and Ste. Anne here in the Island Cathedral.

St. Joseph was a 1st-century Jewish man from Nazareth who was married to Mary, the mother of Jesus, and was the legal father of Jesus. Saint Joseph is venerated for his role within the holy family as guardian, protector and provider.  He is depicted here holding the child Jesus and carrying a lily symbolizing purity and virtue. 

To the right, is a statue depicting St. Martha, a woman who is described in the Gospels of Luke and John.  She provided hospitality to Jesus and His followers.  Together with her siblings Lazarus and Mary, she lived in the village of Bethany near Jerusalem.  She witnessed Jesus resurrecting her brother, Lazarus. 

To the left of St. Joseph is St. Bridget of Sweden who lived in the 12th century.  She is a patron saint of Europe, a mystic, wife, mother, and foundress of the Bridgettines religious order. 

Please go to the area in front of the altar for the next station.  Feel free to take a seat in a pew.