MAJOR RELIC OF SAINT BROTHER ANDRE
GENERAL HISTORY
The cult of relics dates to the first centuries after Jesus Christ, a period from which the veneration of the remains of martyrs is attested. In the 15th and 16th centuries, the cult of relics continued to grow, places of worship and pilgrimages dedicated to saints were born all over Europe. The population demonstrates its fervor by participating in devotions and processions dedicated to the saints in the hope of obtaining favors either for good harvests, the cessation of epidemics or wars. The faithful offer prayers, novenas, candles or ex-votos for the realization of a request for intercession or in thanks for a favor obtained. Even today, most places of pilgrimage exhibit the relics of one or more saints.
At Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal, the main relic of Saint Brother André, canonized in 2010, is on display to the faithful. After his death in 1937, Monsignor Georges Gauthier, Archbishop of Montreal, asked that the heart of the deceased be removed, according to an ancient French custom. The heart is then placed in a preservation solution. The heart, however, is extremely fragile, and over time, shreds of flesh have detached from it. The conservation pathologist suggested putting these shreds in a glass ampoule, with a view to using them to incorporate them into a Reliquary.
A Reliquary is a case or holder that holds a relic. Reliquaries contain the remains of a saint, and these relics have sacred value. They embody the material presence of a saint who can intercede for the applicant with the Father in Heaven. The relic is either a part of the body of a saint or an object that belonged to him. There are three classes of relic: the first class relic consists of a part of the body (hair, blood, heart, bones, etc.) which was collected at the death of the saint or when the tomb was opened; the second class relic is an object that belonged to the saint while the third class is made up of fabrics or objects that have been in contact with the first or second class relics.
The reliquary of Saint Brother André, very soberly crafted in the image of the humble religious, includes, in addition to the ampoule containing pieces of his heart, two medals made by Father Bergeron of the Congregation of the Holy Cross. One of the medals represents Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal and the other, Saint Brother André. The medals and the bulb are placed on pieces of granite, having been used for the construction of the Oratory and a certificate assures the authenticity of the relic. The Reliquary is protected by a glass case and is placed on a stretcher during processions.
The canonization of Brother André had a significant impact on popular devotion to the holy brother. Requests from dioceses and parishes to receive the Reliquary of Saint Brother André have not ceased to flow to the Oratory in the months following the canonization. In less than six months, twenty dioceses have requested and received the Reliquary. More than 100,000 people came to venerate the relic of Saint Brother André.
The To obtain the visit of the Reliquary, the communities must respect certain conditions having to take charge of the Reliquary through a parish, a diocese, a bishop, or a pastoral agent should be responsible of its transportation. The host community then determines how the relic will be displayed. The celebration with the Major Reliquary is done in different ways, with or without Eucharist. However, the host community usually organizes the celebration. A Priest from the Oratory normally accompanies the Relic. Receiving the relics of Saint Brother André allows communities to enter a relationship with him to pray to God through the intercession of Saint Brother Andre. Finally, from the point of view of the Church and Christian communities, the relic is not just an object, but rather a tool that promotes the transmission of a teaching and the development of faith.
(Father Mario Lachapelle, CSC, Marjolaine Boutin, Mathilde Lamothe)
MAJOR RELIQUARY OF SAINT BROTHER ANDRE
The Major Reliquary of Saint Andre Bessette is composed of a small piece of his heart. It is a First-Class Relic of Saint Brother Andre. It is received in several dioceses in Canada and the United States. It is with great joy that people participate in the celebrations with the Major Reliquary. Brother André was a friend to everyone, and he continues to touch the hearts of men and women of our time. He continues to accompany people to God with love and mercy. During the celebration with the Major Relic and anointing with the Oil of Saint Joseph, we observe how much the participants want to have a real God experience in their life. They like to pray through the intercession of Saint Brother André.
(Father Jomon Kalladanthiyil, CSC)
A GESTURE OF FAITH AND HOMAGE
The veneration of relics is very old tradition in the Catholic Church. How to define it? It is a gesture of love towards a person whose holiness is recognized by the Church, a gesture of homage that is lived in faith. In this spirit, a Reliquary of Saint Brother André was made after his Canonization. Christian communities can thus receive him and invite their parishioners to make gestures of veneration towards the Saint. Wherever the Reliquary goes, it attracts thousands of people. This enthusiasm clearly expresses people’s affection for Saint Brother André.
(Saint Joseph’s Oratory)
