Saint André Bessette, CSC (1845-1937) – « The Miracle Man of Mount-Royal »
Saint André Bessette was fondly known as Saint Brother André. Born in Québec in 1845, Canada, he was a Religious Brother of the Congregation of Holy Cross. Humble servant of God, he had much devotion to Saint Joseph, and he built the largest Church dedicated to Saint Joseph in the world which is situated in Montréal. He died in 1937 and he was canonized Saint in 2010. Millions of people visit the tomb of Saint Brother André and receive many favors from God through his intercession.
STORY OF SAINT BROTHER ANDRÉ AND HIS DEVOTION TO SAINT JOSEPH
At birth Brother André’s 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 of his Pastor who helped him out.
Clothilde Foissy, mother of Alfred, had a great devotion to Saint Joseph. She has passed it on to him as he was much attached to her and he used to pray with her. Alfred lost his father at the age of 10 and he would have seen in St. Joseph a father figure to replace his own Dad. André Provençal, the pastor of Saint-Césaire, had a great devotion to St. Joseph. Alfred was very close to him. He considered him as his spiritual guide and mentor. He taught Alfred about St. Joseph. The pastor told him that St. Joseph had been declared the patron saint of Canada in 1624 by the Recollet Fathers, the first Catholic missionaries who came to Québec. He told him that St. Joseph was a carpenter and a loving father. Then, Alfred said that his Dad was also in a similar life. Therefore, Alfred would have adopted some devotions to St. Joseph through the inspiration of Fr. André Provincial. At the time of entering the Congregation of Holy Cross, Alfred perceived the importance of St. Joseph in the universal Church as he was declared by Pope Pious IX in 1870 as the patron of the universal Church.
Alfred wanted to become a religious brother in the Congregation of Holy Cross. Basile Moreau, the founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross, had given St. Joseph as the patron saint for the Brothers of Holy Cross. Therefore, at the time of his entry into the Community, along with other Brothers of Holy Cross, Alfred would have nurtured his devotion to Saint Joseph.
Brother André 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 which he built in 1904. 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 as 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 in 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 them. Graces and blessings are given to those who open their hearts with much faith.
We give thanks to God for the fidelity of Saint Brother André and for his great example of spreading God’s love. We give thanks to Saint Joseph for fidelity and a great model for all families.
(Credit: Father Jomon Kalladanthiyil, CSC)
