Montreal’s Brother André to be declared a saint
MONTREAL, QC—If all goes as expected, Montreal's Brother André will become the Catholic Church's 11th Canadian saint early in 2010.
Brother André, founder of St. Joseph's Oratory—Montreal's famous mountain landmark—moved one step closer to canonization in December 2009 when Pope Benedict XVI recognized a miracle, apparently attributable to his intercession. The Pope acknowledged a healing that is "scientifically inexplicable," according to an Oratory news release.
The proof of this miracle was the last requirement on the path to sainthood. All that is left is a formal declaration by the Pope, likely in Rome, but possibly in Montreal.
Alfred Bessette
Brother André was born Alfred Bessette in a small town east of Montreal in 1845. He was a frail and sickly child. When he lost his parents as a young teenager, he was already devoutly religious. After working at several manual jobs, he made his vows at the Congregation of the Holy Cross at the age of 28, and received the name of Brother André.
He spent the next 40 years as doorkeeper at Notre Dame College on Mount Royal. Near the end of his life he often said, "When I arrived, they showed me the door, and I stayed for 40 years."
According to Father Robert Gendreau, pastor of Our Lady of Consolata parish, Brother André was a simple and uneducated man with a deep faith and a gift for listening. As he took time with visitors to the school and visited people at home and in the hospital, praying through St. Joseph for their various needs, the stories of miraculous healing multiplied.
The throngs who crowded the lobby to see Brother André became a problem for the school, so they set up a small office in the tramway terminal across the street.
When the tramway station became too crowded, his congregation helped him build a small chapel in honour of St. Joseph on the side of Mount Royal. As Brother André's fame increased, so did the need to expand the building.
Miracle worker
Brother André is said to have been uncomfortable with his reputation as a "miracle worker," saying. "I am nothing, only a tool in the hands of Providence, a lowly instrument at the service of St. Joseph," he is reputed to have said.
When he died in 1937 at the age of 91, one million people turned out to show their respects. Since then, several million have petitioned for him to be canonized.
The first step toward canonization is known as veneration. An initial investigation before a tribunal is made into the candidate's life, beliefs and Christian character, based on witnesses and all relevant documents. The evidence is examined by theologians, cardinals and bishops. The pope gives the final approval, and the candidate is recognized as a "Servant of God."
To move from veneration to the next step, beatification, there must be evidence of a miracle, verified after the candidate's death. Once the miracle has been determined, the pope declares the candidate "Blessed."
Brother André was declared venerable in 1978 by Pope Paul VI and was beatified in 1982 by Pope John Paul II.
The next and final step, canonization—the recognition of sainthood—requires proof of another miracle. This miracle must have occurred following the person's death and beatification.
This final condition has now been met, and the faithful promoters of Brother Andre's cause are only waiting for the papal decree.
Gendreau believes that the impact of Brother Andre's canonization will be significant for the Church in Quebec. "This is a difficult time for faith in our society," he says. "The canonization of Brother André will shake things up. It will reveal our spiritual condition. I believe it will bring a renewal of faith. By faith I mean a personal relationship with God."
The timing of the canonization is not known, and St. Joseph's Oratory is not responding to requests from the media at the present time.
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