Saint André

Saint André, né Alfred Bessette, faith healer, religious counsellor (b at St-Grégoire-d'Iberville, Canada East 9 Aug 1845; d at Montréal 6 Jan 1937). Although he was functionally illiterate, was unimposing in speech and stature and never advanced beyond the most lowly positions within his religious order, the Congregation of the Holy Cross (CSC), Alfred Bessette, who adopted the religious name Brother André in 1870, became the most popular religious figure in Québec in the 20th century.

Tens of thousands attributed their miraculous healings to André's intervention with his patron, St Joseph, the husband of the Virgin Mary. His work scandalized many priests, physicians and sophisticated Catholics; but in 1904 his admirers, many from blue-collar families, helped him to build a small oratory in honour of Joseph on the slopes of Mount Royal. Some years later the church hierarchy became involved. A basilica, still Montréal's most imposing landmark, was constructed 1924-55. The church organized pilgrimages and the oratory became the liturgical centre for the Catholic trade union movement of Québec. Half a million visitors still come to the oratory - the only major urban shrine in Canada - every year.

Despite his reputation as a faith healer, Brother André's primary concern was to promote the worship of the suffering Christ through the patronage of St Joseph. Afflicted by poor health throughout his life, André encouraged his closest followers to accept their suffering rather than to seek healing, since suffering brings one closer to Jesus on the cross. He was declared "venerable" in 1978 and formally beatified on 23 May 1982.

Before such recognition is given, the Vatican must accept that a person is responsible posthumously for two miracles. The first miracle attributed to Brother André was the case of New York businessman Joseph Audino in 1958, who said he had recovered from terminal cancer after asking for André's spiritual guidance. The second case involved a Québec boy in 1999 who was riding his bicycle when he was struck by a car. He suffered severe head injuries but recovered. Relatives said they had prayed to Brother André.

On 19 Dec 2009, Pope Benedict XVI promulgated a decree approving the second miracle attributed to the intercession of Brother André. On 17 Oct 2010, Brother André was canonized, making Saint André the first male Catholic saint born in Canada.

Author TOM FAULKNER

Suggested Reading
Henri-Paul Bergeron, Brother André, Apostle of Saint Joseph (1958); Jean-Guy Dubuc, Brother André: Friend of the Suffering, Apostle of Saint Joseph (2010).

Links to Other Sites
Face to Face: The Canadian Personalities Hall
"Face to Face" features outstanding Canadians whose ideas and contributions have transformed this country. Click on the photos in "Meet the Personalities" to see their biographies. From the Canadian Museum of Civilization.

Quebec monk declared saint for his 'boundless charity'
A 2010 CTV News story about the newly canonized St. André Bessette.

DiManno: Miracles and saints find room in Rome
A profile of Brother André, the founding cleric of St. Joseph's Oratory in Montréal. From the thestar.com.

Brother André canonized in Vatican ceremony
An article about Pope Benedict presiding over the canonization of Brother Andre, Canada's first saint of the 21st century. From thestar.com.