HOW ALFRED BECAME SAINT BROTHER ANDRÉ

It took no less than seventy years to conclude the cause for the canonization of Brother André, founder of Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal. Died on January 6, 1937, at the age of 91, Brother André – born Alfred Bessette – was elevated to the rank of the saint by the Catholic Church on October 17, 2010.

When he died, and even long before, there was no doubt in the minds of the people that this religious of the Congregation of Holy Cross was a saint. A million people attended his funeral in Montreal to pay him a final tribute. The little brother who had done so much good saw himself blessed with an incomparable community hug, a testimony of boundless and unwavering affection. But more had to be done so that his holiness was recognized and served as a model in the universal Church.

A reputation for holiness to be verified

Starting a process with a view to beatification or even canonization is not an easy task. The first step in this long process consisted in analyzing the few writings left by Brother André, collecting testimonies from people who knew him well and making sure that no worship in his place had been encouraged. This investigation was carried out rigorously by the Archbishop of Montreal between 1940 and 1949 in order to establish the existence of a true reputation for holiness based on facts.

Servant of God

The file was officially opened in Rome on July 22, 1950. It took some ten years for Vatican experts to revise the content of the three diocesan trials. The entry into the new decade and the filial affection of Pope John XXIII will allow the “Brother André” cause to be introduced in the court of Rome on November 9, 1960. An important step by which Brother André becomes a “Servant” of God ”on the official path to canonization.

Venerable

During the sixties, the two apostolic trials were instituted: the first will question the heroic nature of the virtues of the Servant of God (1962-1964); the second will study three presumed miraculous healings obtained through the intercession of Brother André (1965-1967). The decree recognizing the heroic nature of Brother André’s virtues is issued. Paul VI declared him “Venerable” on June 12, 1978.

Blessed

The Congregation for the Causes of Saints continues the study of miracles. A medical commission accepts the case of Joseph Audino of Rochester (New York), who had been cured of cancer in 1958 after invoking Brother André. Doctors attribute to this healing an extraordinary and miraculous character. This miracle allows the cause of Brother André to take an important step. John Paul II proceeded to the solemn rite of beatification on May 23, 1982 in the Place Saint-Pierre in Rome in the presence of numerous delegations from Quebec, Canada and the United States. The event had made the headlines in the media and generated great enthusiasm among the public.

Miracle needed

There remained one stage to be taken, only one, the ultimate, that of canonization. To achieve this goal, another miracle was needed. This must have occurred after the beatification, after a person in a critical situation called for the intercession of Blessed Brother André. More than twenty years have passed. Several favors obtained were reported to the cause office at Saint Joseph’s Oratory, but only a few seemed to meet the criteria required by Rome.

Holy

The surprising recovery of a child who suffered a serious traffic accident in 1999 was the subject of a diocesan inquiry in February 2005, the year in which the centenary of Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal was celebrated. The file of this healing was submitted to the Vatican commissions. Unanimously, doctors, theologians and then the Holy Father have concluded that a scientifically inexplicable cure can be attributed to Blessed Brother André. It was to him that the boy’s parents as well as family friends had addressed their prayers, hoping for the impossible.

Canonization

Alfred Bessette (Brother Andre) of the Congregation of Holy Cross, the founder of Saint Joseph’s Oratory, was canonized Saint on October 17, 2010. Thanks be to God for all the blessings through Brother Andre.