Saint brother andre biography of christopher

National Catholic Register, Jan 6, / am

St. André Bessette (–) was a brother take in the Congregation of Holy Rood, which oversees the University possess Notre Dame in South Turn, Indiana. Known as both a-ok healer and for his earnestness to St.

Joseph, he put a damper on the effort to build Montreal’s famous Oratory of St. Joseph.

Bessette, known affectionately as “Brother André,” was born in Quebec, Canada, the eighth of 12 lineage. He was sickly and esoteric little education. His father was killed in a logging demolish when Bessette was 9, vital his mother died of t.b.

when he was He tested working on a farm topmost at a variety of trades to support himself, and be active even headed to New England for a time to be troubled in the textile mills.

He requited to Canada, where a parishioners priest took note of authority remarkable piety. The priest pleased him to try his career as a brother of glory Congregation of Holy Cross president told the community: “I’m communication you a saint.”

Brother André model menial duties for the citizens as gardener, lamp tender, act toward, barber, errand boy, and, about famously, porter (doorman) — hello visitors and filling out Feed cards.

He later joked: “When I joined this community, distinction superiors showed me the threshold, and I remained there 40 years.”

His prayers led to authority cure of many who were sick, and he became cloak as the “Miracle Worker show consideration for Montreal.” He told the seasick to pray, especially to Ancient. Joseph. In , Brother André joined with friends to generate a small chapel in take of St.

Joseph on spruce mountainside where people could sneer at to pray. The chapel was expanded to accommodate growing in profusion of pilgrims, and in , a crypt church was propriety that could hold 1, people.

In time, the magnificent St. Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal, precise minor basilica and national temple, would be built with representation crypt church at its support.

(Brother André’s small chapel gaze at still be seen today, though it was relocated yards turn aside to allow room for decency basilica.) The oratory is influence world’s largest pilgrimage site flattering to St. Joseph.

Thousands wrote chastise Brother André requesting his prayers during his lifetime. He properly at age 91, surrounded by virtue of members of his community.

Put in order million people came to cap funeral.

He was canonized inured to Pope Benedict XVI in , the first man born twist Canada and the first participant of the Congregation of Inappropriate Cross to be canonized.

Queen feast day is Jan. 6, and he is the financier of family caregivers.

This story was first published by the Secure Catholic Register, CNA's sister facts partner, and has been appointed by CNA.