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Saint Brother André’s life in a nutshell  

Alfred Bessette, known as Saint Brother André, is born on August 9, 1845, in a small village called Saint Grégoire, Québec, Canada. He had a very tough childhood. His father died when Alfred was 9 years old, and his mother died when he was 12 years old. Though his relatives helped him grow yet he had to start his unskilled jobs as a tinsmith, blacksmith, shoemaker, and bakery boy at the age of 12 preventing him to do his schooling.

His desire to become a Religious Brother made him come to Montreal, to join the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1870. Due to his poor health, he was reluctantly accepted by the Superiors of the Congregation, and he received his name «Brother André» at the Novitiate. His first assignment was to be the doorkeeper at Notre-Dame College where he remained for 39 years.

Brother André had a great devotion to Saint Joseph from his childhood and he nurtured it while doing his responsibility as the doorkeeper. He never failed to spend time in prayer, in the little chapel of the College, during his break time. He also invited many students and teachers from the College to pray with him. Through the prayers of Brother André many favours were obtained for those people around him, praying with him. He comforted all those who were affected by different types of physical and mental sickness by telling them that Saint Joseph will intercede for them. He provided them with Saint Joseph’s oil and medals.

Remaining a humble person Brother André had a great compassion towards all who came to him in search of God. He brought a new hope and a renewed faith in the lives of thousands of people irrespective of their ethnic, cultural, linguistic, religious, and social backgrounds. To every single person he expressed the joy of living with Saint Joseph and Jesus, the Risen Lord. Though he was known as the «Miracle Man of Mount-Royal», yet he did attribute all miracles to Saint Joseph and God. 

Brother André had a great dream: to build a chapel in honour of Saint Joseph. After having gone through great struggles his dream realized in 1904 when a small chapel was built on the mountain of Mount-Royal. Today, we have the biggest shrine dedicated to Saint Joseph on this same mountain. It’s known as the Oratory of Saint Joseph. It remains to be one of the biggest Basilica Churches in the world. This Holy Shrine is under the spiritual care of the Congregation of Holy Cross, the religious family of Brother André.

A man of enormous faith in God, having spent his whole life bringing people closer to God, Brother André died on January 6, 1937, at the age of 91. This Holy Man’s funeral was attended by one million people! Brother André is beatified on May 23, 1982. He is canonized a Saint on October 17, 2010. His tomb remains at the Oratory of Saint Joseph and thousands of pilgrims come every day to pray through his intercession. May all of us receive abundant graces from God through the intercession of Saint Brother André.

First Day of Novena: Humility

Opening prayer (Recite it together or alone)

God of love and compassion, we praise and thank you for all your goodness. We acknowledge that you are our creator, provider, and source of strength. You have given us your son Jesus Christ to be our mediator and saviour. Through his life, death, and Resurrection, you have given us a new life and renewed our fidelity to you.  You have given us the Holy Spirit to accompany us in our daily living. We believe that we are strengthened by the presence of the Spirit within us.

God of love and compassion, we thank you for giving us Saint Brother André as a great intercessor in Heaven. He has been a great instrument of God’s love for all who came in touch with him. His life was filled with humility and kindness. His compassion and love for the other made him a true messenger of Jesus Christ. His great devotion to Saint Joseph made him the «apostle» of Saint Joseph to pray through his intercession and receive graces from God for all who came to him. Through his life example he remains a model for us today to grow in holiness and attain eternal life. We praise and thank you Lord for working wonders and miracles in our daily living through the intercession of Saint Brother André. Amen.

Psalm 90 (Recite it in two groups or alone)

Leader: Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.

All: Before the mountains were brought forth, or even you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

Leader: You turn us back to dust and say, «Turn back, you mortals. »

All: For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past, or like a watch in the night.

Leader: You sweep them away; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning.

All: In the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers.

Leader: For we are consumed by your anger; by your wrath we are overwhelmed.

All: You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your countenance.

Leader: For all our days pass away under your wrath; our years come to an end like a sigh.

All: The days of our life are seventy years, or perhaps eighty, if we are strong; even then their span is only toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.

Leader: Who considers the power of your anger? Your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you.

All: So, teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart.

Leader: Turn, O Lord! How long? Have compassion on your servants!

All: Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, so that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

Leader: Make us glad as many days as you have afflicted us, and as many years as we have seen evil.

All: Let your work be manifest to your servants, and your glorious power to their children.

Leader: Let the favour of the Lord our God be upon us and prosper for us the work of our hands – O prosper the work of our hands!

Gospel reading: Luke 14: 7-11(Take a few moments of silence after reading the Gospel passage. If the Novena is done in a group, the leader can give a short reflection for the group)

When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honour, he told them a parable. «When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honour, in case someone more distinguished than you have been invited by your host, and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, «Give this person your place, » and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, «Friend, move up higher»; then you will be honoured in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. »

Meditation on the words of Saint Brother André (Take a few moments of silence after reading the words of Brother André)

«I am a man just like you[1].»

Prayer through the intercession of Saint Brother André

Gracious God, we come to you with a humble heart just like your humble servant Saint Brother André. Jesus Christ, you have taught us to be humble and gentle by telling us «I am gentle and humble in heart, come to me and you will find rest for your souls. » We come to you Jesus to experience peace within us. We come to you Jesus following the example of Saint Brother André who never searched for fame and name. Lord, help us to realize that our time, talents and energy come from you, and we may use them for the well-being of the entire humanity. Lord, help us to see your presence in our family members, friends, superiors, neighbours, brothers, and sisters. Gracious God, you have glorified your faithful servant Brother André, the apostle of Saint Joseph, to be with you for eternity. Today we pray in a special way for (say our intention and pause for a while) through the intercession of Saint Brother André. Lord, help us to practice humility, compassion, and love in our daily living like Saint Brother André and thereby we may obtain eternal life. Amen.

Our Father (Say 1 Our Father)

Hail Mary (Say 3 Hail Mary)

Glory be (Say 1 Glory be)

Saint Brother André of Mount-Royal – Pray for us!

Second Day of Novena: Trust in God

Opening prayer (Recite it together or alone)

God of love and compassion, we praise and thank you for all your goodness. We acknowledge that you are our creator, provider, and source of strength. You have given us your son Jesus Christ to be our mediator and saviour. Through his life, death, and Resurrection, you have given us a new life and renewed our fidelity to you.  You have given us the Holy Spirit to accompany us in our daily living. We believe that we are strengthened by the presence of the Spirit within us.

God of love and compassion, we thank you for giving us Saint Brother André as a great intercessor in Heaven. He has been a great instrument of God’s love for all who came in touch with him. His life was filled with humility and kindness. His compassion and love for the other made him a true messenger of Jesus Christ. His great devotion to Saint Joseph made him the «apostle» of Saint Joseph to pray through his intercession and receive graces from God for all who came to him. Through his life example he remains a model for us today to grow in holiness and attain eternal life. We praise and thank you Lord for working wonders and miracles in our daily living through the intercession of Saint Brother André.

Psalm 16 (Recite it in two groups or alone)

Leader: Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

All: I say to the Lord, «You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you. »

Leader: As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble, in whom is all my delight.

All: Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names upon my lips.

Leader: The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.

All: The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; I have a goodly heritage.

Leader: I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also, my heart instructs me.

All: I keep the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.  

Leader: Therefore, my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure.

All: For you do not give me up to Sheol or let your faithful one see the Pit.

Leader: You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Gospel reading: Matthew 6: 25-34 (Take a few moments of silence after reading the Gospel passage. If the Novena is done in a group, the leader can give a short reflection for the group)

«Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you – you of little faith? Therefore, do not worry, saying, «What will we eat? » or «What will we drink? » or «What will we wear? » For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things. And indeed, your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.    

Meditation on the words of Saint Brother André (Take a few moments of silence after reading the words of Brother André)

«If you do not put your trust in God, you will obtain nothing[2].»

Prayer through the intercession of Saint Brother André

Gracious God, we come to you putting our complete trust in you just like your beloved servant Saint Brother André. Jesus Christ, you have taught us to put our trust you. We come to you Jesus to walk with you in our daily living. We come to you Jesus following the example of Saint Brother André who always had a tremendous faith in God. Lord, help us to realize that without your presence we are unable to live our life fully. Lord, putting our complete trust in you, help us to understand better our family members, friends, superiors, neighbours, brothers and sisters. Gracious God, you have glorified your faithful servant Brother André, the apostle of Saint Joseph, to be with you for eternity. Today we pray in a special way for (say our intention and pause for a while) through the intercession of Saint Brother André. Lord, help us to embrace you in our daily living like Saint Brother André and thereby we may obtain eternal life. Amen.

Our Father (Say 1 Our Father)

Hail Mary (Say 3 Hail Mary)

Glory be (Say 1 Glory be)

Saint Brother André of Mount-Royal – Pray for us!

Third Day of Novena: Detachment

Opening prayer (Recite it together or alone)

God of love and compassion, we praise and thank you for all your goodness. We acknowledge that you are our creator, provider, and source of strength. You have given us your son Jesus Christ to be our mediator and saviour. Through his life, death, and Resurrection, you have given us a new life and renewed our fidelity to you.  You have given us the Holy Spirit to accompany us in our daily living. We believe that we are strengthened by the presence of the Spirit within us.

God of love and compassion, we thank you for giving us Saint Brother André as a great intercessor in Heaven. He has been a great instrument of God’s love for all who came in touch with him. His life was filled with humility and kindness. His compassion and love for the other made him a true messenger of Jesus Christ. His great devotion to Saint Joseph made him the «apostle» of Saint Joseph to pray through his intercession and receive graces from God for all who came to him. Through his life example he remains a model for us today to grow in holiness and attain eternal life. We praise and thank you Lord for working wonders and miracles in our daily living through the intercession of Saint Brother André.

Psalm 63 (Recite it in two groups or alone)

Leader: O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

All: So, I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.

Leader: Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.

All: So, I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on your name.

Leader: My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast, and my mouth praises you with joyful lips.

All: When I think of you on my bed and meditate on you in the watches of the night.

Leader: For you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy.

All: My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.

Leader: But those who seek to destroy my life shall go down into the depths of the earth.

All: They shall be given over to the power of the sword; they shall be prey for jackals.

Leader: But the king shall rejoice in God; all who swear by him shall exult, for the mouths of liars will be stopped.

Gospel reading: Luke 9: 57-62 (Take a few moments of silence after reading the Gospel passage. If the Novena is done in a group, the leader can give a short reflection for the group)

As they were going along the road, someone said to him, «I will follow you wherever you go. » And Jesus said to him, «Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head. » To another he said, «Follow me. » But he said, «Lord, first let me go and bury my father. » But Jesus said to him, «Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God. » Another said, «I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home. » Jesus said to him, «No one who puts a hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God. »     

Meditation on the words of Saint Brother André (Take a few moments of silence after reading the words of Brother André)

«Be Saints by detaching yourself from things that keep you away from God[3].»

Prayer through the intercession of Saint Brother André

Gracious God, we come to you with an attitude of detachment just like your beloved servant Saint Brother André. Jesus Christ, you have taught us to be detached to follow you in discipleship. We follow you Jesus turning our whole heart and mind towards you. We come to you Jesus following the example of Saint Brother André who had a tremendous attitude of detachment to attach himself to you. Lord, help us to realize that attaching ourselves to you bring us fullness of life on earth and in heaven. Lord, attaching ourselves to you, help us to be instruments of your love when we meet our family members, friends, superiors, neighbours, brothers, and sisters. Gracious God, you have glorified your faithful servant Brother André, the apostle of Saint Joseph, to be with you for eternity. Today we pray in a special way for (say our intention and pause for a while) through the intercession of Saint Brother André. Lord, help us to be attached to you in our daily living like Saint Brother André and thereby we may obtain eternal life. Amen.

Our Father (Say 1 Our Father)

Hail Mary (Say 3 Hail Mary)

Glory be (Say 1 Glory be)

Saint Brother André of Mount-Royal – Pray for us!

Fourth Day of Novena: Trials

Opening prayer (Recite it together or alone)

God of love and compassion, we praise and thank you for all your goodness. We acknowledge that you are our creator, provider, and source of strength. You have given us your son Jesus Christ to be our mediator and saviour. Through his life, death, and Resurrection, you have given us a new life and renewed our fidelity to you.  You have given us the Holy Spirit to accompany us in our daily living. We believe that we are strengthened by the presence of the Spirit within us.

God of love and compassion, we thank you for giving us Saint Brother André as a great intercessor in Heaven. He has been a great instrument of God’s love for all who came in touch with him. His life was filled with humility and kindness. His compassion and love for the other made him a true messenger of Jesus Christ. His great devotion to Saint Joseph made him the «apostle» of Saint Joseph to pray through his intercession and receive graces from God for all who came to him. Through his life example he remains a model for us today to grow in holiness and attain eternal life. We praise and thank you Lord for working wonders and miracles in our daily living through the intercession of Saint Brother André.

Psalm 12 (Recite it in two groups or alone)

Leader: Help, O Lord, for there is no longer anyone who is godly; the faithful have disappeared from humankind.

All: They utter lies to each other; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.

Leader: May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts.

All: Those who say, «With our tongues we will prevail; our lips are our own – who is our master? »

Leader: «Because the poor are despoiled, because the needy groan, I will now rise up, » says the Lord; «I will place them in the safety for which they long.»

All: The promises of the Lord are promises that are pure, silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.

Leader: You, O Lord, will protect us; you will guard us from this generation forever.

All: On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among humankind.

Gospel reading: Matthew 4: 1-11 (Take a few moments of silence after reading the Gospel passage. If the Novena is done in a group, the leader can give a short reflection for the group)

Then Jesus was led up by the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He faster forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, «If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread. » But he answered, «It is written, «One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.»Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, «If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, «He will command his angels concerning you,» and «On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.» Jesus said to him, «Again it is written, «Do not put the Lord your God to the test. » Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour; and he said to him, «All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me. » Jesus said to him, «Away with you, Satan! For it is written, «Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him. » Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.    

Meditation on the words of Saint Brother André (Take a few moments of silence after reading the words of Brother André)

«Do not look to avoid the trials from you, instead ask God to give the grace to tolerate them[4].»

Prayer through the intercession of Saint Brother André

Gracious God, we come to you with all our trials and tribulations just like your beloved servant Saint Brother André. Jesus Christ, you have taught us to surrender all our trials and hardships to you. We come to you Jesus to partake in your trials and to be victorious like you. We come to you Jesus following the example of Saint Brother André who had a tremendous energy to undergo the trials in his daily living. Lord, help us to realize that you are the source of our strength in times of trials and tribulations. Lord, despite trials and tribulations in our lives, help us to be firm in our relationship with our family members, friends, superiors, neighbours, brothers, and sisters. Gracious God, you have glorified your faithful servant Brother André, the apostle of Saint Joseph, to be with you for eternity. Today we pray in a special way for (say our intention and pause for a while) through the intercession of Saint Brother André. Lord, help us to be rooted in you even in times of trials in our daily living like Saint Brother André and thereby we may obtain eternal life. Amen.

Our Father (Say 1 Our Father)

Hail Mary (Say 3 Hail Mary)

Glory be (Say 1 Glory be)

Saint Brother André of Mount-Royal – Pray for us!

Fifth Day of Novena: Perseverance in Prayer

Opening prayer (Recite it together or alone)

God of love and compassion, we praise and thank you for all your goodness. We acknowledge that you are our creator, provider, and source of strength. You have given us your son Jesus Christ to be our mediator and saviour. Through his life, death, and Resurrection, you have given us a new life and renewed our fidelity to you.  You have given us the Holy Spirit to accompany us in our daily living. We believe that we are strengthened by the presence of the Spirit within us.

God of love and compassion, we thank you for giving us Saint Brother André as a great intercessor in Heaven. He has been a great instrument of God’s love for all who came in touch with him. His life was filled with humility and kindness. His compassion and love for the other made him a true messenger of Jesus Christ. His great devotion to Saint Joseph made him the «apostle» of Saint Joseph to pray through his intercession and receive graces from God for all who came to him. Through his life example he remains a model for us today to grow in holiness and attain eternal life. We praise and thank you Lord for working wonders and miracles in our daily living through the intercession of Saint Brother André.

Psalm 119: 73-80 (Recite it in two groups or alone)

Leader: Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.

All: Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word.

Leader: I know, O Lord, that your judgments are right, and that in faithfulness you have humbled me.

All: Let your steadfast love become my comfort according to your promise to your servant.

Leader: Let your mercy come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight.

All: Let the arrogant be put to shame, because they have subverted me with guile; as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.

Leader: Let those who fear you turn to me, so that they may know your decrees.

All: May my heart be blameless in your statutes, so that I may not be put to shame.

Gospel reading: Luke 18: 1-8 (Take a few moments of silence after reading the Gospel passage. If the Novena is done in a group, the leader can give a short reflection for the group)

Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, «In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, «Grant me justice against my opponent. » For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, «Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming. » And the Lord said, «Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you; he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth? »   

Meditation on the words of Saint Brother André (Take a few moments of silence after reading the words of Brother André)

«In the prayer, we speak to God as we speak to a friend[5].»

Prayer through the intercession of Saint Brother André

Gracious God, we adore and worship you in our prayer just like your beloved servant Saint Brother André. Jesus Christ, you have taught us to pray by giving us the most beautiful prayer: the Our Father. We come to you Jesus to persevere in our prayer and to remain united with God especially in times of hardships. We come to you Jesus following the example of Saint Brother André whose entire life was based on prayer. Lord, help us to realize that in prayer we become one with you and you become one with us. Lord, knowing that prayer is our only strength to attach ourselves to you, help us to be united in prayer with our family members, friends, superiors, neighbours, brothers, and sisters. Gracious God, you have glorified your faithful servant Brother André, the apostle of Saint Joseph, to be with you for eternity. Today we pray in a special way for (say our intention and pause for a while) through the intercession of Saint Brother André. Lord, help us to base our lives in prayer just like Saint Brother André and thereby we may obtain eternal life. Amen.

Our Father (Say 1 Our Father)

Hail Mary (Say 3 Hail Mary)

Glory be (Say 1 Glory be)

Saint Brother André of Mount-Royal – Pray for us!

Sixth Day of Novena: Faith

Opening prayer (Recite it together or alone)

God of love and compassion, we praise and thank you for all your goodness. We acknowledge that you are our creator, provider, and source of strength. You have given us your son Jesus Christ to be our mediator and saviour. Through his life, death, and Resurrection, you have given us a new life and renewed our fidelity to you.  You have given us the Holy Spirit to accompany us in our daily living. We believe that we are strengthened by the presence of the Spirit within us.

God of love and compassion, we thank you for giving us Saint Brother André as a great intercessor in Heaven. He has been a great instrument of God’s love for all who came in touch with him. His life was filled with humility and kindness. His compassion and love for the other made him a true messenger of Jesus Christ. His great devotion to Saint Joseph made him the «apostle» of Saint Joseph to pray through his intercession and receive graces from God for all who came to him. Through his life example he remains a model for us today to grow in holiness and attain eternal life. We praise and thank you Lord for working wonders and miracles in our daily living through the intercession of Saint Brother André.

Psalm 23 (Recite it in two groups or alone)

Leader: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

All: He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul.

Leader: He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.

All: Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff – they comfort me.

Leader: You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

All: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.

Gospel reading: Mark 5: 25-34 (Take a few moments of silence after reading the Gospel passage. If the Novena is done in a group, the leader can give a short reflection for the group)

Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. She had endured much under many physicians and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, «If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well. » Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, «Who touched my clothes? » And his disciples said to him, «You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, «Who touched me? »  He looked all around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell before him, and told him the whole truth. He said to her, «Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your disease. »     

Meditation on the words of Saint Brother André (Take a few moments of silence after reading the words of Brother André)

«We need to ask for faith, pray to obtain it and if things go wrong in the world its just because of lack of faith[6].»

Prayer through the intercession of Saint Brother André

Gracious God, we come to you with a lot of faith just like your beloved servant Saint Brother André. Jesus Christ, you have taught us to have abundant faith in God and you have said to many people who came to experience your healing that «your faith has saved you. » We come to you Jesus keeping our faith alive. We come to you Jesus following the example of Saint Brother André who had a tremendous faith in you and invited all people to have faith in God. Lord, help us to realize that you alone can increase our faith. Lord, help us to share the faith we have received from you with our family members, friends, superiors, neighbours, brothers, and sisters. Gracious God, you have glorified your faithful servant Brother André, the apostle of Saint Joseph, to be with you for eternity. Today we pray in a special way for (say our intention and pause for a while) through the intercession of Saint Brother André. Lord, help us to have faith in you even in times of doubts and discouragements in our daily living like Saint Brother André and thereby we may obtain eternal life. Amen.

Our Father (Say 1 Our Father)

Hail Mary (Say 3 Hail Mary)

Glory be (Say 1 Glory be)

Saint Brother André of Mount-Royal – Pray for us!

Seventh Day of Novena: Forgiveness

Opening prayer (Recite it together or alone)

God of love and compassion, we praise and thank you for all your goodness. We acknowledge that you are our creator, provider, and source of strength. You have given us your son Jesus Christ to be our mediator and saviour. Through his life, death, and Resurrection, you have given us a new life and renewed our fidelity to you.  You have given us the Holy Spirit to accompany us in our daily living. We believe that we are strengthened by the presence of the Spirit within us.

God of love and compassion, we thank you for giving us Saint Brother André as a great intercessor in Heaven. He has been a great instrument of God’s love for all who came in touch with him. His life was filled with humility and kindness. His compassion and love for the other made him a true messenger of Jesus Christ. His great devotion to Saint Joseph made him the «apostle» of Saint Joseph to pray through his intercession and receive graces from God for all who came to him. Through his life example he remains a model for us today to grow in holiness and attain eternal life. We praise and thank you Lord for working wonders and miracles in our daily living through the intercession of Saint Brother André.

Psalm 32 (Recite it in two groups or alone)

Leader: Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

All: Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit, there is no deceit.

Leader: While I kept silence, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long.

All: For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.

Leader: Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, «I will confess my transgressions to the Lord, » and you forgave the guilt of my sin.

All: Therefore, let all who are faithful offer prayer to you; at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters shall not reach them.

Leader: You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance.

All: I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

Leader: Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding, whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle, else it will not stay near you.

All: Many are the torments of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the Lord.

Leader: Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.

Gospel reading: Matthew 18: 21-35 (Take a few moments of silence after reading the Gospel passage. If the Novena is done in a group, the leader can give a short reflection for the group)

Then Peter came and said to him, «Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times? » Jesus said to him, «Not seven times, but I tell you, seventy times seven. » «For this reason, the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. So, the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, «Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything. » And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, «Pay what you owe. » Then his fellow slave fell and pleaded with him, «Have patience with me, and I will pay you. » But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, «You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you? » And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. So, my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart. »

Meditation on the words of Saint Brother André (Take a few moments of silence after reading the words of Brother André)

«If the Soul is sick, we have to start by taking care of it[7].»

Prayer through the intercession of Saint Brother André

Gracious God, we come to you with an open heart to experience your compassion and love just like your beloved servant Saint Brother André. Jesus Christ, you came to forgive all our failures, to give us a renewed life and you have taught us to forgive others so that they may also experience your love for them through our actions. We come to you Jesus with a renewed spirit. We come to you Jesus following the example of Saint Brother André who was always kind and compassionate to all people. Lord, help us to realize that your forgiveness gives us fullness of life and our forgiveness makes us in conformity with you. Lord, help us to share the fruits of forgiveness with our family members, friends, superiors, neighbours, brothers and sisters. Gracious God, you have glorified your faithful servant Brother André, the apostle of Saint Joseph, to be with you for eternity. Today we pray in a special way for (say our intention and pause for a while) through the intercession of Saint Brother André. Lord, help us to be kind-hearted to everyone like Saint Brother André and thereby we may obtain eternal life. Amen.

Our Father (Say 1 Our Father)

Hail Mary (Say 3 Hail Mary)

Glory be (Say 1 Glory be)

 Saint Brother André of Mount-Royal – Pray for us!

Eight Day of Novena: God’s love

Opening prayer (Recite it together or alone)

God of love and compassion, we praise and thank you for all your goodness. We acknowledge that you are our creator, provider, and source of strength. You have given us your son Jesus Christ to be our mediator and saviour. Through his life, death, and Resurrection, you have given us a new life and renewed our fidelity to you.  You have given us the Holy Spirit to accompany us in our daily living. We believe that we are strengthened by the presence of the Spirit within us.

God of love and compassion, we thank you for giving us Saint Brother André as a great intercessor in Heaven. He has been a great instrument of God’s love for all who came in touch with him. His life was filled with humility and kindness. His compassion and love for the other made him a true messenger of Jesus Christ. His great devotion to Saint Joseph made him the «apostle» of Saint Joseph to pray through his intercession and receive graces from God for all who came to him. Through his life example he remains a model for us today to grow in holiness and attain eternal life. We praise and thank you Lord for working wonders and miracles in our daily living through the intercession of Saint Brother André.

Psalm 36: (Recite it in two groups or alone)

Leader: Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in their hearts; there is no fear of God before their eyes.

All: For they flatter themselves in their own eyes that their iniquity cannot be found out and hated.

Leader: The words of their mouths are mischief and deceit; they have ceased to act wisely and do good.

All: They plot mischief while on their beds; they are set on a way that is not good; they do not reject evil.

Leader: Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.

All: Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains; your judgments are like the great deep; you save humans and animals alike, O Lord.

Leader: How precious is your steadfast love, O God! All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

All: They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights.

Leader: For with you is the mountain of life; in your light we see light.

All: O continue your steadfast love to those who know you, and your salvation to the upright of heart!

Leader: Do not let the foot of the arrogant tread on me, or the hand of the wicked drive me away.

All: There the evildoers lie prostrate; they are thrust down, unable to rise.

Gospel reading: John 3: 16-21 (Take a few moments of silence after reading the Gospel passage. If the Novena is done in a group, the leader can give a short reflection for the group)

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.

Meditation on the words of Saint Brother André (Take a few moments of silence after reading the words of Brother André)

«The good God loves us so much, infinitely, and he wants us to love him[8].»

Prayer through the intercession of Saint Brother André

Gracious God, we come to you with abundant love for you just like your beloved servant Saint Brother André. Jesus Christ, you came to fill us with God’s love, and you taught to love all our fellow human beings. We come to you Jesus with a heart filled love to share it with others. We come to you Jesus following the example of Saint Brother André who was a great instrument of your love. Lord, help us to realize that your steadfast love gives us a new meaning in life. Lord, help us to love authentically our family members, friends, superiors, neighbours, brothers, and sisters. Gracious God, you have glorified your faithful servant Brother André, the apostle of Saint Joseph, to be with you for eternity. Today we pray in a special way for (say our intention and pause for a while) through the intercession of Saint Brother André. Lord, help us to be your true instruments of love like Saint Brother André and thereby we may obtain eternal life. Amen.

Our Father (Say 1 Our Father)

Hail Mary (Say 3 Hail Mary)

Glory be (Say 1 Glory be)

Saint Brother André of Mount-Royal – Pray for us!

Ninth Day of Novena: Eucharist

Opening prayer (Recite it together or alone)

God of love and compassion, we praise and thank you for all your goodness. We acknowledge that you are our creator, provider, and source of strength. You have given us your son Jesus Christ to be our mediator and saviour. Through his life, death, and Resurrection, you have given us a new life and renewed our fidelity to you.  You have given us the Holy Spirit to accompany us in our daily living. We believe that we are strengthened by the presence of the Spirit within us.

God of love and compassion, we thank you for giving us Saint Brother André as a great intercessor in Heaven. He has been a great instrument of God’s love for all who came in touch with him. His life was filled with humility and kindness. His compassion and love for the other made him a true messenger of Jesus Christ. His great devotion to Saint Joseph made him the «apostle» of Saint Joseph to pray through his intercession and receive graces from God for all who came to him. Through his life example he remains a model for us today to grow in holiness and attain eternal life. We praise and thank you Lord for working wonders and miracles in our daily living through the intercession of Saint Brother André.

Psalm 116: 12-19 (Recite it in two groups or alone)

Leader: What shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty to me?

All: I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.

Leader: I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.

All: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones.

Leader: O Lord, I am your servant; I am your servant, the child of your serving girl. You have loosed my bonds.

All: I will offer to you a thanksgiving sacrifice and call on the name of the Lord.

Leader: I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.

All: In the courts of the house of the Lord, in your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise the Lord!

Gospel reading: Matthew 26: 26-29 (Take a few moments of silence after reading the Gospel passage. If the Novena is done in a group, the leader can give a short reflection for the group)

While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, «Take, eat; this is my body. » Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, «Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom. »

Meditation on the words of Saint Brother André (Take a few moments of silence after reading the words of Brother André)

«You eat three times a day to sustain your body; so, go to receive communion specially to sustain your Soul[9].»

Prayer through the intercession of Saint Brother André

Gracious God, we come to you in adoration and thanksgiving just like your beloved servant Saint Brother André. Jesus Christ, you came to nurture us with your own body and blood so that we may be always united in your love. We come to you Jesus knowing that you are present in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. We come to you Jesus following the example of Saint Brother André who was sustained by the Eucharist in his daily living. Lord, help us to realize that by giving yourself to us at the Eucharist, you invite us to give ourselves to others. Lord, help us to be experience you more and more by participating at the Eucharist and share this Divine experience with our family members, friends, superiors, neighbours, brothers, and sisters. Gracious God, you have glorified your faithful servant Brother André, the apostle of Saint Joseph, to be with you for eternity. Today we pray in a special way for (say our intention and pause for a while) through the intercession of Saint Brother André. Lord, help us to be true Eucharistic people just like Saint Brother André and thereby we may obtain eternal life. Amen.

Our Father (Say 1 Our Father)

Hail Mary (Say 3 Hail Mary)

Glory be (Say 1 Glory be)

Saint Brother André of Mount-Royal – Pray for us!

Important dates in Saint Brother André’s life

August 9, 1845            : Birthday of Brother André.

February 20, 1855       : Death of his father.

November 10, 1857    : Death of his mother.

December 27, 1870     : He enters in the Novitiate of the Congregation of Holy Cross

August 22, 1872          : He takes his temporary vows.

February 2, 1874         : He takes his perpetual vows.

January 6, 1937           : Brother André dies.

June 12, 1978              : He is declared Venerable by Pope Paul VI.

May 23, 1982              : He is Beatified by Pope John Paul II.

October 17, 2010        : He is Canonized by Pope Benedict XVI.

[1] Salvatore Marotta, Summarium I, q. 72.

[2] Marie-Anne Tétreault, Summarium II, q. 34.

[3] Chanoine Etienne Catta (1965), p. 861.

[4] Joseph Pichette, Summarium I, q. 107.

[5] Chanoine Etienne Catta (1965), p. 837.

[6] Soeur Marie-Anne Leblanc, Summarium I (i), q. 56.

[7] Arthur Ganz, Summarium I (i), q. 89.

[8] Frère Philippe Laurette, Summarium I, q. 86.

[9] Paul Corbeil, Summarium I, q. 63.