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From ICNOct. 16, 2010
Canonization of Blessed André Bessette
More than 5,000 Canadians are gathering in Rome this weekend to
attend the canonization Blessed Andre Bessette, who will be their country's
first native-born male saint. In Canada, the Archdiocese of Montreal is
organizing a number of events to celebrate the event, in the city where Brother
Andre served for most of his ministry.
St. Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal, which was founded by Brother André in 1904,
will be the central focus for activities before and during the canonization
ceremonies. An all night prayer vigil will be held tonight at the Oratory;
uniting pilgrims in Rome and in Canada in prayerful reflection and celebration
of Brother André’s spiritual life and heritage.
The vigil will begin with candlelight prayer followed with presentations of
lectures on the life of Brother André by groups with which he was closely
associated.
Taize Night prayers will be followed by Adoration, morning prayer), and finally
a procession from the tomb of Brother André to the Basilica of St Joseph.
After viewing the canonization Masson large screens, a Mass will follow in the
Basilica of St Joseph, which will include public display of an icon depicting St
André, painted by a local iconographer from Brother André's home diocese of
Saint-Hyacinthe.
Throughout the rest of the day, there will be a special concert in the crypt
church with chamber music and then a carillon recital. The celebration of the
canonization will conclude with an organ concert at the Basilica.
Next Wednesday, the Archdiocese of Montreal, with the Oratory of Mount St
Joseph, will host a Mass of Thanksgiving at the Montreal Olympic Stadium
beginning at 2pm.
This Mass is a national celebration for the entire Catholic Church in Canada,
and pilgrims are anticipated from all over the country and the world. The
celebrants of the liturgy will be the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Alfred Bessette was born on 9 August, 1845, near Montreal in Canada, the eighth
of twelve children. When Alfred was nine, his father, a wood cutter, died in a
work accident. Three years later, his mother died of TB. The children were split
up and placed in different homes. Alfred went to live with an aunt and uncle.
Because his family had been so poor and he was often sick, Alfred had very
little education. For the next thirteen years he had jobs on a farm, with a
shoemakers, and at a bakery. For a time he worked in a factory in Connecticut.
At the age of 25, he joined the order of Holy Cross and chose the name Brother
Andre. He spent the next forty years as a general maintenance man and messenger.
In his later years he worked as a doorman at the order's college. Here, Brother
Andre's healing power became known. Many came to him with their illnesses and
problems. As more and more people learnt about him he would spend eight to ten
hours a day with those who needed spiritual healing and support. He became so
well known that secretaries had to be assigned to answer the 80,000 letters he
received annually.
When people came to ask him for a cure, he would tell them to first thank God
for their suffering because it was so valuable. Then he would pray with them.
Most were cured. Brother Andre always refused credit for the healing. He
insisted it had been the person's faith and the power of St Joseph.
Brother Andre had a great love for the Eucharist and for St Joseph. For many
years he gathered funds to rebuild a run down little chapel on Mont Royale. One
way he raised money was by cutting the hair of the students at five cents each.
The Oratory that he helped to build in honor of St Joseph was solemnly dedicated
in 1955.
Brother Andre died peacefully on this day in 1937. Braving sleet and snow,
nearly a million people climbed Mount Royale to St Joseph's Oratory for his
funeral. He was proclaimed 'Blessed' on May 23, 1982, by Pope John Paul II.
Blessed Andre is one of five new saints to be declared tomorrow. Blessed Mary
MacKillop will become Australia's first saint.
