Saint of the Month - January 2014: Saint Andre Bessette of Montreal

St. Andre Bessette

A Friend of St. Joseph

Feast: January 6th

St. Andre came into the world as Alfred Bessette on Aug. 9, 1845; to a large, working-class family near Montreal, Canada.  While still a young boy, his father passed away in a work-related accident and his mother was forced to give up Alfred to an uncle, in order to make ends meet for the rest of his family.  To support himself, Alfred took up various odd jobs prior to applying for admission with the Congregation of the Holy Cross at the age of 25.  He took the religious name of Brother Andre.

A youthful Bro. Andre.

At the Montreal University run by his congregation, Bro. Andre was assigned as the porter.  He greeted visitors, cleaned the offices and ran errands for his superiors.  Inspired by his deep, personal devotion to St. Joseph, the foster father of our Lord, he dreamed of one day establishing a shrine for the Saint atop of Mt. Royal, which faced the school. So with the permission of his superiors, he converted a small shed into a little shrine-chapel, and shortly after, wonderful things began to happen in connection with Bro. Andre and his humble oratory.

When sick pilgrims visited, Bro. Andre would bless them with oil from the lamp which burnt before the statue of St. Joseph and cures often resulted.  News of the healings spread quickly and the trickle of pilgrims became a multitude that overwhelmed the shrine and the neighboring college. The immense distraction from the daily influx of visitors caused Bro. Andre’s superiors to relieve him of some of his regular duties so he could focus more time on the pilgrims, as well as on the upkeep of the growing chapel.

In addition to his apparent gift of healing, God also granted Bro. Andre the ability to read souls and to prophecy so he could better counsel his many visitors.  He often fasted rigorously during the day - eating a simple porridge made from water and flour - while spending his nights in intense prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. During these quiet moments he was sometimes witnessed in ecstasy surrounded by a radiant light.

Although he was granted many supernatural consolations, his life was not without trials. There were many (including some of his religious brethren) who opposed his work and refused to believe in his sincerity. The devil also showed his displeasure towards Bro. Andre by harassing him through frightful apparitions and even physical assaults – Bro. Andre accepted every trial with humility and trust in the Lord, offering all for the conversion of the pilgrims and the success of St. Joseph’s shrine.

   

The Oratory of St. Joseph in Montreal, Canada, that St. Andre founded... and its interior

votive shrine to the most holy and chaste spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Through private donations supplied by pilgrims, Bro. Andre was able to purchase more land on Mt. Royal, and throughout his career as caretaker of the shrine, he continuously expanded the little chapel until it became the world’s largest church dedicated to St. Joseph. Today, a magnificent basilica stands as a testament to the legacy of Bro. Andre, and it remains a popular religious and tourist attraction for the city of Montreal.

Bro. Andre Bessette entered into his eternal reward on Jan. 6, 1937, and was Beatified in May, 1982.  The Church declared him a Saint in October 2010.

A Reflection

God can turn our ‘nothings’ into magnificent ‘somethings’, if we simply surrender our wills to the Lord and place our trust in Him.

A Short Prayer

Dear St. Andre, assist us in having complete confidence in the goodness of God for all our daily needs... and may we also learn to love St. Joseph, as you did, that we may benefit from his powerful intercession now and at the hour of our deaths.  Amen.