André Bessette facts for kids
Quick facts for kids SaintAndré Bessette C.S.C. |
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| Lay Brother | |
| Born | August 9, 1845 Mont-Saint-Grégoire, Quebec, Province of Canada |
| Died | January 6, 1937 (aged 91) Montreal, Quebec, Dominion of Canada |
| Venerated in | Catholic Church |
| Beatified | May 23, 1982, Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City, by Pope John Paul II |
| Canonized | October 17, 2010, Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City by Pope Benedict XVI |
| Major shrine | Saint Joseph's Oratory Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Feast | January 6 (January 7 in Canada) |
André Bessette, also known as Brother André, was a special lay brother in the Catholic Church. He was part of the Congregation of Holy Cross. Many people believed he helped thousands of sick people get better through his strong prayers to Saint Joseph.
Brother André was declared "venerable" in 1978. This means the Church recognized his holy life. He was then "beatified" by Pope John Paul II in 1982. This is the step before becoming a saint. Finally, Pope Benedict XVI declared him a saint on October 17, 2010. He is now known as Saint André of Montreal. He is the first Canadian from after Canadian Confederation (when Canada became its own country) to become a saint.
Contents
Early Life
Alfred Bessette was born on August 9, 1845, in a small town called Mont-Saint-Grégoire, Quebec. This town is about 40 kilometers (25 miles) southeast of Montreal. He was the eighth of 12 children. His father, Isaac, was a carpenter. His mother, Clothilde, took care of the children.
A Difficult Childhood
Alfred was very weak when he was born. A priest quickly baptized him the next day because they worried he might not live. When Alfred was four, his family was very poor. His father moved to find work but died in an accident. This left his mother, Clothilde, to care for ten children.
Just three years later, his mother also died from a serious illness. Alfred became an orphan at age twelve. He was then cared for by Timothée and Rosalie Nadeau.
Finding His Path
While living with the Nadeaus, Alfred went to religious lessons. His parish priest, André Provençal, taught these lessons. Here, Alfred developed a deep love for Saint Joseph and the Passion of Christ. These devotions stayed with him his whole life.
At 14, Alfred went to school but struggled to learn. He soon left school. He tried many jobs like farming, working with metal, and baking. But he was physically weak and couldn't keep any of them. At 18, he moved to the United States to work in textile factories. He returned to Canada in 1867.
Becoming Brother André
The priest, André Provençal, saw how devoted Alfred was. He decided to introduce Alfred to the Congregation of Holy Cross in Montreal. He wrote a note to the leader, saying, "I'm sending you a saint."
Joining the Holy Cross Brothers
At first, the Holy Cross brothers didn't want Alfred because he was frail. But the Archbishop of Montreal, Ignace Bourget, helped him. In 1872, Alfred was accepted. He began his training period to become a religious brother. He was given the name Brother André.
He made his final promises to the order on February 2, 1874, when he was 28. After this, Brother André became a doorkeeper at Collège Notre-Dame. He also helped with laundry and messages.
The Doorkeeper's Ministry
While working at the college, Brother André started helping sick people. He had great faith in Saint Joseph. He would tell people to pray to Saint Joseph. He also rubbed the sick with oil from a lamp at the college.
Many people said they were cured after Brother André prayed for them and used the oil. They believed their prayers were answered. Brother André always said that he didn't do the cures. He gave all the credit to Saint Joseph.
A Place of Healing
As more and more sick people came to see Brother André, it caused problems at the college. School officials decided he couldn't see the sick there anymore. He was allowed to meet them at the nearby tramway station instead.
Brother André became a well-known figure. Some people supported him, believing in his prayers. Others thought he was a fake. Some worried that sick people coming to the school might spread diseases to the students.
Saint Joseph's Oratory
Brother André really wanted to honor Saint Joseph. In 1904, he started a plan to build a small chapel for Saint Joseph. This small chapel grew over time.
In 1924, work began on a much larger church, a basilica, called Saint Joseph's Oratory. It was built on the side of the mountain, near Brother André's chapel. This grand church stands today as a testament to his devotion.
His Legacy
Brother André died on January 6, 1937, when he was 91 years old. About one million people came to see his coffin.
His body rests in a tomb below the Oratory's Main Chapel. His heart is kept in a special container in the same church.
Becoming a Saint
The process to make Brother André a saint began in 1950. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1982. A miracle was recognized for his beatification: the healing of Giuseppe Carlo Audino from cancer in 1958.
On December 19, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI announced a second miracle. This led to Brother André being formally declared a saint on October 17, 2010. Saint André is remembered on January 6 in most parts of the world. In Canada, his feast day is January 7.
Honoring Brother André
Many schools and buildings are named after Saint André Bessette. These include:
- Andre Hall at St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas
- Brother André Catholic High School in Markham, Ontario
- Saint Andre Bessette Secondary School in London, Ontario
- Saint André Catholic Elementary School in Brampton, Ontario
- St. André Bessette Catholic High School in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta
- St. André French Immersion Catholic Elementary School in Tecumseh, Ontario
There are also statues of him at Holy Cross College and the University of Notre Dame in Indiana. Several churches and missions are also named in his honor.
Media
- Brother André still with us: Le Centre Saint-Pierre and Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount-Royal, 2004 (1 DVD - 62 minutes)
- The Greatness and Beauty of Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal: Montreal, Les Productions de la Montagne and Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal, 1995 (1 DVD, color, 26 minutes)
- By Jean-Claude Labrecque: Brother André: Montreal, Les Productions de la Montagne, 1987 (Movie, on 1 DVD, color, 88 minutes)
- God's Doorkeeper: St. André of Montreal, 2010
- Bible
