St. Andre Bessette
St. Andre Bessette
The Miraculous Journey of St. André Bessette: A Life Defined by Faith and Resilience
When They Lived:
St. André Bessette, born Alfred Bessette, lived from August 9, 1845, to January 6, 1937. His remarkable life spanned a period of profound societal changes and transformative events.
Where They Lived:
St. André Bessette spent the majority of his life in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He is closely associated with the Congregation of Holy Cross, specifically the College of Notre Dame in Montreal and the Oratory of St. Joseph, a monumental basilica that became his spiritual legacy.
Notable World Events During Their Life:
- American Civil War (1861-1865): St. André’s early years coincided with the turmoil of the American Civil War. The conflict over slavery and states’ rights had far-reaching implications for the entire North American continent.
- Completion of the Suez Canal (1869): The opening of the Suez Canal connected the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, revolutionizing global trade and travel by providing a shortcut between Europe and Asia.
- Invention of the Telephone (1876): Alexander Graham Bell’s invention of the telephone radically transformed communication, bringing distant voices closer and paving the way for rapid technological advancements.
- First Electric Light Bulb (1879): Thomas Edison’s development of the practical incandescent light bulb illuminated the world in a new way, sparking a revolution in indoor lighting and power distribution.
- World War I (1914-1918): St. André lived through the tumultuous years of World War I, witnessing the devastating impact of a global conflict on societies and individuals.
- Russian Revolution (1917): The fall of the Russian monarchy and the rise of communism in Russia had profound ideological and geopolitical consequences that reverberated around the world.
- Women’s Suffrage Movement: St. André’s life coincided with the rising wave of the women’s suffrage movement, which fought for women’s right to vote and paved the way for greater gender equality.
Their Patronage:
St. André Bessette is widely recognized as the patron saint of those who are sick, marginalized, and in need of healing. His deep compassion for the suffering and his dedication to serving others, especially through his work as a porter at the College of Notre Dame and later at the Oratory of St. Joseph, earned him this role. Despite facing personal health challenges and living during a time of great social change, St. André’s unshakable faith and unwavering commitment to helping others make his life story an inspiration for people of all walks of life.
St. André Bessette’s life embodies the power of faith, resilience, and compassion. His story is a testament to how an individual can make a significant impact on the world, not only through grand achievements but also through simple acts of kindness and empathy. Whether it was offering comfort to the sick, praying for the afflicted, or embracing those on the fringes of society, St. André’s legacy continues to shine as a beacon of hope and a reminder of the transformative power of unwavering dedication to others.
Early Life
Andre Bessette was born on the 9th of August, 1845, near Montreal to a French-Canadian couple. His parents sadly passed away when he was 12 years old. He was adopted, and as he grew, he tried his hands at several professions. First, he worked as a farmhand, then as a shoemaker, baker, blacksmith, and factory worker in the civil war, all of which he could barely sustain due to his health challenges.
When Bessette turned 25, he applied to join the Congregation of Holy Cross. He was refused admission after a year’s novitiate because of his poor health. Eventually, after an extension and with a recommendation from Bishop Bourget, he was finally admitted into the Congregation.
Dedication and Devotion
At Notre Dame College in Montreal, he worked as a doorkeeper, messenger, barber, gardener, laundry worker, and sacristan. In his small room, he prayed on his knees most nights, next to the statue of Saint Joseph on his windowsill. He firmly believed that one day Saint Joseph would be specially honored on Mount Royal.
Whenever Brother Andre heard someone was sick, he would visit the person to pray for them and offer good cheer. He would take some oil from a lamp burning within the college chapel and rub it gently on their bodies while he prayed to St. Joseph for their healing.
When an epidemic broke out at a college nearby, Brother Bessette volunteered to help nurse the ill, and not a single person died. From then on, the sick began to crowd at his doorstep, asking to be healed. This made the diocesan authorities and his superiors uneasy, while doctors labeled him a quack. Through all this, Bessette maintained over and over that he was not the cause of the cure but just a vessel for Saint Joseph.
Legacy
In 1904, he requested permission from the Archbishop of Montreal to build a chapel to Saint Joseph on the mountain close to the college. The Archbishop granted permission on the basis that Brother André would build only what he could afford.
Part of the money Andre had was from the nickels and dimes he had saved from giving haircuts to the college boys over the years. The remainder came from a small donation plate he had placed in a picnic shelter on the mountain top, close to the statue of St. Joseph. Put together, the money amounted to a few hundred dollars. Undeterred by the little funding, he put the money into building a tiny wood shelter.
Three years later, Brother Andre returned to the Archbishop to request more building permission. He had gathered some more money from donations and wanted to expand the shelter. Once permission was given, Brother André added a roof, walls, and a pilgrim shelter and paved the mountain road. He lived there full time, caring for and healing as many people as he could.
Death and Canonization
Brother Andre Bessette died at the age of 91 on January 6th, 1937, in Montreal and was buried in the beautiful Oratory on Mount Royal after a life of service to humanity and devotion to St. Joseph.
He was beatified in 1982 and canonized in 2010. The feast of St. André-Bessette is held on the 6th of January every year.
5 Interesting Facts About St. André Bessette
- Did you know that when St. André was alive, he received over 50,000
letters annually and needed the help of four secretaries to handle
the outpouring of letters? - Saint Andre Bessette was popularly called the “Miracle Man of
Montreal”. - Did you know that Saint André is one of the most popular Canadian
saints? - When Saint Andre passed away, nearly one million people came to the
oratory to mourn him and pay their last respects. - Did you know there are five different Catholic churches named after
St. Andre Bessette is located respectively in Pennsylvania and New York.
Hampshire, Michigan, Ontario, and Oregon?
Prayer to St. André Bessette
Lord, you have chosen Brother André to spread devotion to Saint Joseph and to dedicate himself to all those who are poor and afflicted. Grant through his intercession the favor that we now request… [State your intention(s) here…]Grant us the grace to imitate his piety and charity so that, with him, we may share the reward promised to all who care for their neighbors out of love for you. We make this prayer in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.
Source:[https://www.catholicdoors.com/prayers/novenas/p03756.htm]{.ul}
