St. Andre Bessette, CSC
Feast Day: January 7
St. André was born Alfred Bessette in Saint-Grégoire d'Iberville, Quebec, on August 9, 1845. When Alfred was nine years old, his father died in a logging accident. Two years later, his mother died from tuberculosis. He and his nine siblings were now orphaned. Alfred went to live with an uncle and aunt in Saint-Césaire and then with the Ouimet Family.
Always of frail health, he tried his hand at various jobs including working on a farm and as an apprentice shoemaker, blacksmith, tinsmith, and baker, among other professions. He even tried his hand working in New England's textile mills before returning home to Saint-Césaire, where a priest, recognizing the young man's deep faith, recommended him to the Congregation of Holy Cross.
He entered the Holy Cross Brothers, but even at the age of 25, he could not read and write. Although he was almost sent away, the bishop permitted him to stay and receive his vows, after which he was sent to Notre Dame College in Montreal. His many roles there included serving as gardener, lamp tender, barber, nurse, messenger, and doorkeeper.
Among those who came to the door were people who were sick and suffering. St. André is known for praying with the sick who came to him, through the intercession of St. Joseph. Many credit their healing to the prayers of St. André.
His great devotion to St. Joseph inspired him and some friends to build a chapel in honor of the saint on the mountainside across the street from the college. As more and more faithful starting coming to see Brother André, it became clear that the chapel was too small, even after it was expanded four times. A new crypt church that could accommodate 1,000 people was built on Mount Royal and opened in 1917.
The church would become part of a larger complex that included the Basilica of St. Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal. The cornerstone of the building was blessed in 1924, and construction began, but a shortage of money delayed progress. When questioned about how to proceed, Brother Andre said, "Put a statue of St. Joseph in the middle. If he wants a roof over his head, he'll get it." The exterior of the magnificent oratory wasn't complete until 1942, five years after Brother Andre's death. The interior took another 25 years to finish. St. Joseph’s Oratory remains a place of pilgrimage today,
St. André died on January 6, 1937, and is buried in the oratory. His love for St. Joseph, his dedication and perseverance in humble acts, and his unwavering trust in God led Pope Benedict XVI to say, at his canonization in 2010, that St. André “lived the beatitude of the pure of heart.”
Quotes from St. André Bessette
"The door to heaven is the heart of Jesus. The key to this door is prayer and love."
"When you invoke St. Joseph, you don’t have to say much. You know your Father in heaven knows what you need; Well, so does his friend, St. Joseph. Tell him: 'If you were in my place, St. Joseph, what would you do? Well, pray for this on my behalf.'"
"When I died, I will be in heaven. I shall be much closer to God than I am now. I'll be all the more able to help you."
Additional Resources
Prayers for St. André's Intercession - Congregration of the Holy Cross (External Link)
St. André Bessette - Franciscan Media (External Link)
Word on Fire Reflection on St. André (External Link)
