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At birth his name was Alfred. He was born on August 9, 1845 in Mont-Saint-Grégoire. Issac Bessette and Clothilde Foisy were his parents. When he was born, his health was very fragile and he received emergency baptism. He lost his father at the age of 10 and his mother at the age of 12. Orphaned, he walked from place to place to earn his living. From Mont-Saint-Grégoire, he moved to Farnharm and Saint-Césaire. At the age of 20, he went to the United States of America to look for a job. After 4 years of stay in the USA, he returned to Quebec and he became close to his Pastor in Saint-Césaire, Father André Provençal. Alfred told his Pastor about his desire to enter in a Religious Community. Encouraged by Father André Provençale, he knocked at the door of the Congregation of Holy Cross. It was in 1870 that Alfred Bessette entered in the Novitiate of the Congregation of Holy Cross and adopted the name Brother André in honor to his Pastor who helped him out.

He was a man of intense prayer. He was the Door Keeper of Collège Notre-Dame for 38 years and then the Guardian of Saint Joseph’s Oratory. As he had a lot of devotion to Saint Joseph, he prayed to God through the intercession of Saint Joseph. Millions of people received favors from God through the prayers of Brother André. He was known to be the miracle man of Mount-Royal. He died on January 6, 1937 and over a million people participated at his funeral. He was canonized on October 17, 2010 by the Pope Benedict XVI.

Brother André is a friend to all people. He is known to be A Friend, A Brother and A Saint. The students, teachers, parents, faithful people from all walks, pilgrims belonging to different religious traditions can easily associate themselves with Saint Brother André. He is a friend of the humble, suffering and sick people. He continues to intercede for all people. Every year, over two million people come to Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount-Royal where we find the tomb of Saint Brother André. Pilgrims at the Oratory receive gracious blessings from God through the intercessions of Saint Joseph and Saint Brother André. It is evident that Saint Brother André touches the hearts of those who seek God. Those who are lost in their lives find meaning of their lives in the Oratory. Those who are sick receive relief or healing. When Saint Brother André and his friend Saint Joseph pray together for the people, God cannot stop blessing us. Graces and blessings are given to those who open their hearts.

We give thanks to God for the fidelity of Saint Brother André and for his great example of spreading God’s love.