St. Andre Bessette is the first saint and Brother to be canonized from their congregation. He was known for his intense piety, famed for his miraculous cures and praised for his dedication to seeing the St. Joseph’s Oratory built in Montreal.
He was born Alfred Bessette Aug. 9, 1845, near Montreal. He was one of 12 children and suffered from chronic stomach ailment that kept him out of school and often without work. His father did when he was nine and his mother died when he was 12.
He entered the Congregation of the Holy Cross in 1870. While serving as a porter at the Holy Cross-run College of Notre Dame and a high school in Montreal, Andre developed a strong devotion to St. Joseph. His reputation as a simple holy man with miraculous healing power spread. People came from far and wide to seek his help. Andre would pray with them and suggest they seek St. Joseph’s intercession. (Taken from The Anchor, Diocese of Fall River publication)
May the powerful prayers of St. Andre Bessette bless our Maronite Servant community with holy vocations.