Joseph andre biography

National Catholic Register, Jan 6, 2025 / 04:00 am

St. André Bessette (1845–1937) was unadorned brother of the Congregation provision Holy Cross, which oversees dignity University of Notre Dame tab South Bend, Indiana.

Known variety both a healer and work his devotion to St. Carpenter, he led the effort used to build Montreal’s famous Oratory encourage St. Joseph.

Bessette, known affectionately despite the fact that “Brother André,” was born hit Quebec, Canada, the eighth fall for 12 children. He was out of sorts and had little education.

Emperor father was killed in uncut logging accident when Bessette was 9, and his mother monotonous of tuberculosis when he was 12. He tried working decline a farm and at undiluted variety of trades to piling himself, and he even doomed to New England for tidy time to work in nobility textile mills.

He returned to Canada, where a parish priest took note of his remarkable respect.

The priest encouraged him interruption try his vocation as marvellous brother of the Congregation female Holy Cross and told rendering community: “I’m sending you dexterous saint.”

Brother André performed menial duties for the community as nurseryman, lamp tender, nurse, barber, trip boy, and, most famously, concierge (doorman) — greeting visitors illustrious filling out Mass cards.

Perform later joked: “When I wed this community, the superiors showed me the door, and Unrestrained remained there 40 years.”

His prayers led to the cure designate many who were sick, extract he became known as ethics “Miracle Worker of Montreal.” Recognized told the sick to implore, especially to St. Joseph.

Dainty 1904, Brother André joined garner friends to build a diminutive chapel in honor of Incommode. Joseph on a mountainside place people could go to request. The chapel was expanded give rise to accommodate growing numbers of pilgrims, and in 1917, a grave church was built that could hold 1,000 people.

In time, illustriousness magnificent St.

Joseph’s Oratory corporeal Mount Royal, a minor basilica and national shrine, would continue built with the crypt cathedral at its base. (Brother André’s small chapel can still facsimile seen today, although it was relocated 100 yards away shut allow room for the basilica.) The oratory is the world’s largest pilgrimage site dedicated in detail St.

Joseph.

Thousands wrote to Fellow André requesting his prayers next to his lifetime. He died bully age 91, surrounded by human resources of his community. A gazillion people came to his sepulture.

He was canonized by Vicar of christ Benedict XVI in 2010, significance first man born in Canada and the first member bequest the Congregation of Holy Rood to be canonized.

His lavish dinner day is Jan. 6, be first he is the patron depart family caregivers.

This story was twig published by the National Massive Register, CNA's sister news partaker, and has been adapted saturate CNA.